Triple-jumper joins 2012 Olympic Games board

Triple-jump world record holder Jonathan Edwards was today named as a key figure in the organisation that will stage the 2012 London Olympics.

The 2000 Olympic triple jump champion and world record holder has been appointed as the athlete member on the board of the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (LOCOG).

Edwards, the unanimous choice of the British Athletes Commission, which represents Britain’s elite athletes, said he was “honoured”.

He was a major driving force in London’s Olympic bid campaign, acting as a spokesman for athletes’ views via the 2012 Athletes’ Advisory Commission.

It is a role he will continue within LOCOG in an effort to ensure the Games are athlete-friendly.

London 2012 chairman Lord Coe said: “Sport and the needs of athletes are central to London’s plans for the Games, and I know that Jonathan will continue to represent these views energetically.”

The LOCOG board will include the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, the Greater London Authority, the British Olympic Association, the British Paralympic Association, London 2012 and British International Olympic Committee members.