Athletics: Frank Dick leaves role as chairman of athletics in Scotland

THE governing body for athletics in Scotland has announced that chairman Frank Dick has stepped down from his role, having played a major role in the development of the sport during his tenure.

The outgoing chairman, who has led the board for the past two years, was praised for his outstanding commitment to the sport in Scotland and his contribution to the progress made at both grass-roots and performance levels.

Dick, who is based in the south of England, is in great demand internationally as a motivational speaker and, despite an extremely busy schedule, travelled north regularly throughout his time as chairman and was present at many national competitions and other athletics events.

He said: “It has been an honour to have been invited to chair the board of scottishathletics and I firmly believe we have achieved a great deal since 2009.

“Our sport is stronger than it has been for some years and the challenge is to continue that progression as we approach the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

“As I pass on the baton, I wish our athletes at all levels every success as they benefit from their involvement in our great sport.”

Scottishathletics president Leslie Roy said: “Frank brought to the role a characteristic energy and insight, as well as a focus on excellence. The lessons he learned during his outstanding career in international athletics coaching have been very beneficial to our sport in Scotland and he leaves it in a far stronger position than when he arrived.

“He has been tireless in his pursuit of excellence and has genuinely had the best interests of the sport at the heart of everything he has done.

“On behalf of everyone involved in the sport in Scotland I would like to express our sincere and genuine thanks for his efforts over the past few years.” The board of scottishathletics will announce a new chairman in the near future.

• Dwain Chambers’ chances of competing for Great Britain in June’s European Championships hinge on the outcome of the Court of Arbitration for Sport’s ruling over his drugs ban, according to UK Athletics head coach Charles van Commenee.

“It still remains to be seen,” the UKA chief said. “Let’s wait first to see what the result of the CAS process will be. It depends on when the announcement will be of the process. It’s not set that CAS will come with a verdict on 12 March so we’ll have to wait and see.”