28 September 2015

UK Athletics has today confirmed that Jason Gardener will become the next President of UK Athletics taking over from Lynn Davies at its AGM on 4 December.

Gardener, currently a director on the UK Athletics Board – a position he will relinquish when he becomes President – has confirmed he is honoured to accept the role and paid tribute to the outgoing President Lynn Davies for his service to the sport:

“I am extremely honoured to be offered this role, but more importantly to follow in the footsteps of Lynn, who has served the sport in exemplary fashion over the years.

“This is an exciting time for our sport as we build towards the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games and our own London World Athletics Championships in 2017 and it is essential that the UK Members Council continues to represent the sport’s interests and ensure the accountability of UK Athletics.

“I am incredibly fortunate to have been able to wear the British vest on so many occasions and now to be able to serve athletics in this way – I really am delighted.”

Outgoing president Lynn Davies said:

“I am delighted that Jason Gardener will be taking over from me as President of UK Athletics. With his competitive background in the sport as an Olympic Champion coupled with his engaging personality and his experience as a Board member of UK Athletics, he possesses all the qualities required to be a successful President.

“On behalf of everyone in our sport I congratulate him on his appointment and wish him all the best in his new role.”

In addition to Gardener’s appointment, Olympic 110m hurdles fourth placer Lawrence Clarke has also been nominated to become an Athlete Representative on the UKMC

Clarke said:

“I feel privileged to be able to represent the views and opinions of the athletes who make up the British team. I’m keen to make sure the sport’s future is positively shaped for and by athletes across the Olympic and Paralympic performance programmes.

“I’m immensely grateful to the Council for appointing me to a role that I hope will have a positive effect on the sport as a whole, from the grassroots to the podium.”

For further information on the electoral process please visit http://www.britishathletics.org.uk/governance/uk-members-council/elections-2015/