Thomas Bridge 30 January 2015

Olympic runner pulls out of London mayoral race

A former Olympian has ruled himself out of the London mayoral race, despite once being hotly tipped for the role.

Lord Sebastian Coe has told ITV News that his career in front-line politics is now 'over', dashing hopes that he would be the Conservative candidate to replace Boris Johnson in 2016.

The decision by the double gold medal winner has opened up the field to a number of other Conservative candidates for the role, including current deputy mayor Stephen Greenhalgh.

Lord Coe said: 'I see my political career on the front line as being over. I will always be physically inquisitive and occasionally active but I really have no ambitions to do anything of that nature.

'My sport is calling me. My passion is my sport, I owe everything to my sport, I've been involved in sport man and boy for the largest part of my life.

'If I'm in a position to shape the future of my sport, of course, why would I not want to that. That is my number one priority.'

He added that 'sadly, not even Boris' could now convince him to stand for the London mayoral role.

Banning urban pesticide use image

Banning urban pesticide use

RSPB and PAN are working on a letter from local councillors calling on the Government to introduce a national ban on urban pesticide use. Find out more below.
SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Assistant Director – Regeneration & Property Services

Bromsgrove and Redditch Councils
Up to £91,383
The Councils are committed to being a customer driven organisation, with our customers at the heart of everything we do. Bromsgrove, Worcestershire
Recuriter: Bromsgrove and Redditch Councils

Assistant Director for Safeguarding and Corporate Parenting

Havering London Borough Council
£103,378 - £112,543 including a £4,000 market supplement
Children's Services in Havering are embarking on a journey of improvement following our recent Ofsted inspection. Romford, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Havering London Borough Council

Assistant Director for Early Help and Partnerships

Havering London Borough Council
£103,378 - £112,543 including a £4,000 market supplement
Children's Services in Havering are embarking on a journey of improvement following our recent Ofsted inspection. Romford, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Havering London Borough Council

Corporate Director – Housing, Care and Wellbeing

Brighton & Hove City Council
£133,000 to £160,000
We are a diverse, creative and iconic coastal city. Brighton, East Sussex
Recuriter: Brighton & Hove City Council

Development Engineer

London Borough of Bexley
£34,476 - £39,777 per annum
The team requires someone who can inspect, measure and monitor highway works Bexley (London Borough), London (Greater)
Recuriter: London Borough of Bexley
Linkedin Banner

Partner Content

Circular highways is a necessity not an aspiration – and it’s within our grasp

Shell is helping power the journey towards a circular paving industry with Shell Bitumen LT R, a new product for roads that uses plastics destined for landfill as part of the additives to make the bitumen.

Support from Effective Energy Group for Local Authorities to Deliver £430m Sustainable Warmth Funded Energy Efficiency Projects

Effective Energy Group is now offering its support to the 40 Local Authorities who have received a share of the £430m to deliver their projects on the ground by surveying properties and installing measures.

Pay.UK – the next step in Bacs’ evolution

Dougie Belmore explains how one of the main interfaces between you and Bacs is about to change.