UK Athletics
Encyclopedia
UK Athletics is the governing body for the sport of athletics in the United Kingdom
. It is responsible for overseeing the governance of athletics events in the UK as well as athletes, their development, and athletics official
s.
UK Athletics (UKA) was founded in 1999 as a successor to the British Athletics Federation, which had collapsed for financial reasons. Businessman Ed Warner was named as the inaugural chairman, Niels de Vos
is the current chief executive and Lynn Davies
, the former Olympic champion long jump
er, is the incumbent president. Charles van Commenee
was made the head coach of UKA's Olympic Programme in September 2008. Shortly afterwards Peter Eriksson was appointed head coach of the Paralympic Programme.
Following Great Britain
's worst performance at a European Athletics Championships for twenty years, CEO and former long distance runner David Moorcroft
stepped down from his position at UK Athletics: "I am convinced that I am taking the right decision at the right time." The results in Gothenburg
(their sole gold medal coming in the 100 m relay) were below expectations and failed to meet the target for improving British athletics in lieu of the upcoming 2012 London Olympics.
It has four member organisations from each of the constituent countries of the United Kingdom
: England Athletics, scottishathletics
, Welsh Athletics
(Athletau Cymru), and Athletics Northern Ireland.
The principal sponsor of the organisation is Aviva
.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. It is responsible for overseeing the governance of athletics events in the UK as well as athletes, their development, and athletics official
Athletics Official
Track and field athletics officials or track and field athletics technical officials are referees responsible for judging the various events within track and field. They can be sub-divided into four main groups: field judges, track judges, timekeepers and starters. Within the United Kingdom,...
s.
UK Athletics (UKA) was founded in 1999 as a successor to the British Athletics Federation, which had collapsed for financial reasons. Businessman Ed Warner was named as the inaugural chairman, Niels de Vos
Niels de Vos
Niels de Vos is a British sports businessman and chief executive. He attended King Edward's School, Birmingham. De Vos came to prominence as the Chief Executive of Sale Sharks, a professional rugby union club. De Vos helped the club move to a larger stadium in 2003, leaving Heywood Road in favour...
is the current chief executive and Lynn Davies
Lynn Davies
Lynn Davies CBE was a member of the Cardiff Amateur Athletic Club and captain of the British Olympic long jump team in 1964....
, the former Olympic champion long jump
Long jump
The long jump is a track and field event in which athletes combine speed, strength, and agility in an attempt to leap as far as possible from a take off point...
er, is the incumbent president. Charles van Commenee
Charles van Commenee
Charles van Commenee, written in Dutch as Charles van Commenée, is an Dutch athletics coach who is currently the head coach of UK Athletics. He began his professional career as a technical director and national coach for the Netherlands. He moved to take up similar roles for the British athletics...
was made the head coach of UKA's Olympic Programme in September 2008. Shortly afterwards Peter Eriksson was appointed head coach of the Paralympic Programme.
Following Great Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
's worst performance at a European Athletics Championships for twenty years, CEO and former long distance runner David Moorcroft
David Moorcroft
David Robert Moorcroft is a former middle-distance and long-distance runner from England, and former world record holder for 5,000 metres. His athletic career spanned the late-1970s and 1980s. He subsequently served as the Chief Executive of UK Athletics from 1997 to 2007. He was awarded an MBE in...
stepped down from his position at UK Athletics: "I am convinced that I am taking the right decision at the right time." The results in Gothenburg
2006 European Championships in Athletics
The 19th European Athletics Championships were held in Gothenburg, Sweden, between 7 August and 13 August 2006. The competition arena was the Ullevi Stadium and the official motto "Catch the Spirit"...
(their sole gold medal coming in the 100 m relay) were below expectations and failed to meet the target for improving British athletics in lieu of the upcoming 2012 London Olympics.
It has four member organisations from each of the constituent countries of the United Kingdom
Countries of the United Kingdom
Countries of the United Kingdom is a term used to describe England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. These four countries together form the sovereign state of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, which is also described as a country. The alternative terms, constituent...
: England Athletics, scottishathletics
Scottishathletics
Scottishathletics is the national governing body for the sport of athletics in Scotland. Established as a limited company on 1 April 2001, it succeeded the Scottish Athletics Federation . scottishathletics is a member of the Commonwealth Games Council for Scotland.The organisation is built up of 22...
, Welsh Athletics
Welsh Athletics
Welsh Athletics is the national governing body for the sport of athletics in Wales.The current limited company, set up in 2007, replaced the former Athletic Association of Wales...
(Athletau Cymru), and Athletics Northern Ireland.
The principal sponsor of the organisation is Aviva
Aviva
Aviva plc is a global insurance company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the sixth-largest insurance company in the world measured by net premium income and has 53 million customers in 28 countries...
.