British Olympic Association Chair Colin Moynihan will step down a year early after seven years in the role, according to Paul Kelso of the London TELEGRAPH. Moynihan wrote to members of the National Olympic Committee to tell them it is his intention "to hand over to a new chair, probably in November." The election process will be decided at a board meeting in September, with a vote likely in November. Moynihan said, "It has been a great honour to lead the BOA, but now is the time to hand over the baton to a new chairman" (TELEGRAPH, 8/13). In London, Owen Gibson reported that the possible candidates to succeed Moynihan will be Great Britain Field Hockey President and BOA Board Member Richard Leman and 400m Gold Medalist in '68 David Hemery. Moynihan said that he would also "step down from his role" as Chair of British Ski and Snowboard and would "concentrate on his business and political career, while continuing to contribute to the ongoing debate about the Olympic sporting legacy" (GUARDIAN, 8/13).
BACK TO BUSINESS: Also in London, O'Connor & Munnery reported that Moynihan wrote in his letter: “I intend to hand on the baton smoothly and securely to a successor chair who, once elected, will work with [BOA CEO] Andy [Hunt] and the Board to set the strategy for the next quad and appoint the management team to take us forward to [the next Olympic Games in] Rio." Moynihan said that he "intends to return to the business world, focusing in particular on the energy sector." He has previous experience as Clipper Windpower Dir and Clipper Windpower Europe Exec Chair (LONDON TIMES, 8/13). REUTERS' Tom Pilcher reported that Moynihan said that he hoped sports would become "more of a priority in schools" after Britain's showing at the London Games. Moynihan: "I believe that we need to review and where relevant rethink government sports policy in order to translate the inspirational effect of the Games directly into participation. The new requirement for primary schools to provide competitive sport is a step in the right direction" (REUTERS, 8/13).
