Seibel had been due to take up the position in Azerbaijan after Sochi 2014 following four successful years with the BOA but has instead returned home to the United States, where he said he is "catching my breath following London and Sochi and taking a look at some new opportunities professionally".

Seibel had been offered the opportunity to work on Baku 2015 by former United States Olympic Committee (USOC) chief executive Jim Scherr.

Seibel had worked as chief communications officer at the USOC under Scherr between 2003 and 2009. 

Seibel would have worked closely in Baku with another American, Doug Arnott, former director of Games operations at London 2012.

Darryl Seibel's successful four-year spell with the BOA included London 2012 ©Getty Images

"I am grateful to Jim and Doug for the opportunity to join their team at Baku 2015, but I'm going to concentrate instead on other professional opportunities and new challenges," Seibel told insidethegames.

"Jim and Doug have put together an outstanding team of talented professionals with the expertise and commitment to make the inaugural European Games a success - and I am confident that will be the case.  

"I wish them all the very best on the road ahead and look forward to the successful debut of the European Games in the summer of 2015."

To help cover Seibel's departure the BOA have hired on an interim basis Adrian Bassett, who formerly worked in communications for London 2012.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected] 


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