Former Olympic champion cyclist Chris Boardman MBE named chair of Sport England
Former Olympic champion cyclist Chris Boardman MBE has been appointed chair of Sport England.
Boardman will play a key role in getting more people active and developing grassroots sport.
“I am delighted to take up the position of chair for Sport England,” said the 52-year-old, who won individual pursuit gold at the Barcelona 1992 Olympics.
“Sport and activity are central to my own life and it’s clear they have a heightened importance for all of us right now.
“I am looking forward to helping the team bring opportunities to be active to more people than ever before.”
Since retiring from competing, Boardman has helped plan England’s largest walking and cycling network, the £1.5bn Bee Network, with the Mayor of Greater Manchester.
He was also head of research and development for Great Britain’s cycling team from 2004 to 2012, helping to herald in an era of unprecedented success.
Dame Katherine Grainger, meanwhile, has been reappointed chair of UK Sport for a second four-year term.
“I consider it a huge honour to be in this role,” said Grainger, Britain’s most decorated female Olympian, “especially at an extremely exciting time for Olympic and Paralympic sport in the UK with the Tokyo Summer Games about to start and the Beijing Winter Games just around the corner.”
Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Secretary Oliver Dowden said: “I am thrilled that we now have two Olympic heroes in Chris and Dame Katherine steering the growth of grassroots and professional sport in this country.
“I will be working closely with them as we place sport and physical activity at the heart of our recovery plan to build back better and fitter from this pandemic.”