Youth Sport Trust Ambassador Jason Gardener has today been confirmed as the next president of UK Athletics.
Gardener, who takes over from outgoing President Lynn Davies on 4 December, works with YST to promote the values of physical activity and school sport across the country. A gold medal-winning Olympian, he achieved one of his ultimate ambitions at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games by leading home the 4x100m relay team to top honours.
Youth Sport Trust Chief Executive Ali Oliver said: "Jason Gardener is one of the UK's all time great sprinters.
"As an Olympic, European and Commonwealth champion, Jason works tirelessly to promote the values of sport and physical activity to young people and I can think of no better person to take over the presidency of UK Athletics at the end of the year."
Gardener, currently a director on the UK Athletics Board - a position he will relinquish when he becomes President, regularly attends Youth Sport Trust conferences and camps. He plays an active role in National School Sport Week, visiting schools across the UK to inspire children to take part in sport and has also encouraged youngsters up and down the country to join in the School Games.
He said: "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."
