Bowker resigns as UK Athletics chairman

Bowker, who played an integral role in founding the 2018 Athletics World Cup and helping implement new strategies in coaching and talent development ahead of Tokyo 2020, will leave the role on January 31.

Rowell earned a silver medal at the 1985 London Marathon, setting a new British record of 2:28:06, after representing Great Britain at the Los Angeles Olympics a year earlier.

The 56-year-old is a current member of the UK Athletics board and will take on the role as chairman until a permanent replacement can be found.

Tributes were paid to Bowker by Rowell for the role he played in guiding UK Athletics into the upcoming Olympic cycles.

She said: "UK Athletics has made significant strides under Richard's leadership. The Board is very sorry to see him leave at this time but based on the recent decisions while he was chair, the progress that will now be made in the areas of talent, competition and coaching in the coming years will be the real legacy of his tenure.

"I am honoured to take this role and alongside the board am committed to ensuring the sport comes together to work to ensure that it is in great shape for the Doha World Championships later this year and the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2020, while laying the foundations for the Paris cycle thereafter.

"This means ensuring that the core at the heart of the sport – the clubs, coaches and volunteers – are best placed to support current and future generations of athletes."

Sportsbeat 2019