Page 3 Profile: Lord Colin Moynihan, British Olympic Association Chairman

A former Olympian?

A silver medallist no less. He steered team GB's rowing team to victory at Moscow in 1980 even though the steering cables to the rudder broke during the race. Showing true grit, he reached behind him to grasp the rudder bar. More recently, he has chaired the British Olympic Association since 2005, shortly after London won the Olympic bid. Now he is stepping down a year ahead of schedule.

But it was a great Games, why leave early?

He may have overseen Team GB's greatest medal haul for over a century, but he says he wants to give the next chairman of the BOA plenty of time to prepare for the winter games in Sochi, Russia. He also wants to focus on his business and political career and help secure Britain's Olympic legacy. He will also step down as chairman of British Ski and Snowboarding. His departure from the BOA comes as quite a surprise to his colleagues.

So has he done a good job then?

He certainly brought some passion to the job. He was suspended from the board of Locog in March last year after a row with chief executive Andy Hunt over how funds would be allocated after the Games. Eventually the BOA and Locog reached a deal. He was a vocal supporter of record-breaking gold medallist Ye Shiwen after a US swimming coach accused her of being a drug cheat.

As controversy raged, Moynihan said: "She's been through Wada's programme and she's clean. That's the end of the story. Ye Shiwen deserves recognition for her talent." Earlier in the Games he made headlines by complaining that too many of Britain's medal winners are privately educated.

Quite an act to follow…

The job will certainly go to another Olympic veteran after Moynihan leaves in November. Among those tipped to replace him are Richard Leman, the president of GB Hockey and a BOA board member, and David Hemery, who won the 400m gold medal at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City.