Athletics: Ian Beattie takes the chair at Scottish Athletics

The Edinburgh-based chartered accountant is chief operating officer of Lindsays Solicitors, and is also race director of the West Highland Way race – an event which he has completed eight times.

Beattie, who has previously served on the Scottish Athletics board, has now stepped down as vice-chairman of Sport Scotland in order to devote more time to his new role.

Currently a member of Harmeny Athletics Club, he has also served as a treasurer with Troon Tortoises AC, Central AC and Strathearn Harriers. He has run 85 marathons and ultra marathons and has been involved in various clubs.

“I am thrilled to be appointed as chair of Scottish Athletics,” Beattie said. “It’s a sport that I have been involved in for many years, and with so much happening over the next two years it is a wonderful time to be involved in athletics.

“I have enjoyed my time as vice-chair of Sport Scotland immeasurably, and I am really looking forward to bringing the experience I have accrued both there and in business to Scottish Athletics.”

Nigel Holl, chief executive of Scottish Athletics, said: “We are delighted to announce the appointment of Ian Beattie as our new chairman. He’s a well-known figure within the sport already and we will look to benefit from that profile and his contacts.

“Ian has held a number of senior positions in the Scottish business community, which is also helpful, and he was on our board as a director at one stage. He also has experience in the wider field of Scottish and UK Sport – with Sport Scotland, UK Sport, and in 2003 was a consultant to the UK Athletics Board for a period of time. All of these factors make him a very welcome addition to our board as we look to build on the legacy of two massive events in London and Glasgow.”

Louise Martin, chair of Sport Scotland, said: “It’s a very exciting time for sport in Scotland with the London Olympics and Paralympics nearly upon us and just two years until Glasgow 2014, and I’m delighted that Ian will continue to play an active role in these events.”

l Scotland’s Commonwealth Games silver medallist Eilidh Child will be among the first athletes to compete at the Olympic Stadium when it opens for business next month.

The 400-metres hurdler has been selected by UK Athletics to compete at the London 2012 test event from 4 to 7 May, both in her specialist event and in the flat 400m.

More than 140 athletes have been chosen for the four-day event, the first meeting to be held at the new stadium. Other Scots invited include 110m hurdlers Chris Baillie and Allan Scott, pole-vaulter Gregor Maclean and hammer-thrower Mark Dry.