Coe set to take over as British Olympic chairman

Sebastian Coe is set to be hired as the new British Olympic Association (BOA) chairman after his only opponent for the position pulled out of the running on Tuesday.

Coe was already the firm favourite for the role after masterminding London's successful staging of the 2012 Olympics and his appointment was effectively confirmed when Richard Leman, the head of British hockey, stepped aside.

It means Coe, who was London 2012's bid chairman and then organising committee chairman, will be elected to succeed Colin Moynihan at the head of the BOA when the votes are cast on November 7.

Coe's stock is sky-high after the triumphant Olympics and Paralympics and the 56-year-old, a 1,500m gold medallist in the 1980 and 1984 Games, confirmed last month that he had been asked to stand for the position by a BOA sub-committee.

Leman, an Olympic gold medal-winner in men's hockey at the 1988 Olympics, is now expected to stand for the post of BOA vice-chairman next year.

"Recognising the unique circumstance in which we find ourselves in having the person who led the organisation and delivery of what is widely regarded as the most successful Olympic and Paralympic Games in history standing for election as our next chair, I have decided to put my full support behind Seb Coe and his candidacy," Leman said.

"The opportunities and challenges we face during the next four years are unprecedented, and from my position as a member of board of directors, I will continue to work closely with our next chair, my colleagues on the board, the national Olympic committee and our staff to meet those challenges.

"Having had the opportunity to compete for Team GB at the Olympic Games, I have always viewed my service to the BOA as an opportunity to give something back to British sport by making certain subsequent generations of athletes benefit from the same life-changing experiences I enjoyed."