By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year

altSeptember 22 - Former Liberal Democrat leader and British 100 metres record holder Sir Menzies Campbell (pictured) has been appointed to the Olympic Board for London 2012, it was announced today.


Sir Menzies, who held the British 100m record from 1967 to 1974 with a personal best of 10.2sec, will be joined by Lib Dem MP Don Foster on the Board.

The Olympic Board provides oversight of the entire London 2012 Games project.

Sebastian Coe, the chairman of London 2012, sits on it along with Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt, the chairman of the British Olympic Association Colin Moynihan and London Mayor Boris Johnson.

Sir Menzies, 69, and Foster, 63, will be official attendees along with former Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell and Sir Keith Mills, the deputy chairman of London 2012, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson, Olympic Park Legacy Company chair Baroness Margaret Ford, Olympic Delivery Authority chairman John Armitt and the Sport and Olympics Minister Hugh Robertson.

Sir Menzies competed for Britain at the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo, running in the 200m and 4x100m relay, and for Scotland at the 1966 Commonwealth Games in Kingston, Jamaica.

He was captain of Britain's team in 1965 and 1966.

Campbell, a QC, was leader of the Lib Dems for 19 months until being replaced in October 2007 by Nick Clegg, who is now Britain's Deputy Prime Minister.

Sir Menzies remains the MP for North East Fife, a position he has held since 1987.

Foster, who co-chairs the Lib Dems' Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport Parliamentary Committee, made the announcement at the party's annual conference in Liverpool.

alt"While Labour's support for the Games can't be questioned, their record in planning for its legacy certainly can," said Foster (pictured), the MP for Bath.

"For example, sports participation increases have been minimal.

"Now we have the chance to do something.

"And not just by lobbying a Conservative Secretary of State but also on the body that oversees all the 2012 work.

"I am pleased, therefore, to announce that both Ming Campbell and I have been appointed to the Olympic Board.

"It is particularly pleasing that Ming, a former Olympic athlete, will be able to bring his knowledge, experience and wisdom to help ensure success in 2012."

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