The 57-year-old from Ohio (pictured top), who claimed Olympic gold medals in Montreal in 1976 and Los Angeles in 1984, has long been an avid critic of doping in sport and in 1988, he designed and created amateur sports' first random out-of-competition drug testing programme.

Moses takes up the role from his position as USADA vice-chairman as he succeeds founding board member Dr Richard Cohen as head of the organisation, whose term on the board has now expired.

The promotion of Moses from vice-chairman to chairman means that Dr Richard Clark will now assume the role of vice-chairman.

"The use of dangerous performance-enhancing drugs is one of the most important issues facing sport today," said Moses, who is also chairman of the prestigious Laureus World Sports Academy.

"Our mission at USADA to ensure that all clean athletes can compete on a level playing field is vitally important not only for this generation of athletes but all the generations to come.

"I have been honoured to serve on the USADA board since 2010 and as chair I look forward to continuing to support USADA's staff in successfully fulfilling our mission through our commitment to the highest standards of excellence."

Edwin Moses is also chairman of the Laureus World Sports Academy

Joining Cohen in retirement from the USADA board of directors, in compliance with term limit requirements, are founding board member Dr Jean Fourcroy and Annette Salmeen, who served as board secretary and will be replaced in the role by Marcia Lee Taylor.

As part of this scheduled transition, USADA also welcomes three new board members in Dr Cheri Blauwet, Robert Raskopf and Dr Ken Wright.

"Dr Cohen, Dr Fourcroy and Annette Salmeen will be greatly missed and their contributions to this organisation are immeasurable," said USADA chief executive Travis Tygart.

"They have all been fearless in their commitment to USADA's mission and their leadership and devotion to clean athletes and the integrity of sport has been a large part of USADA's growth and success over the last 12 years.

"But we are excited to welcome new board members Dr Cheri Blauwet, Robert Raskopf and Dr Ken Wright and look forward to continued success under the leadership of Edwin Moses."

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