24th July 2008
Tim Hadaway has been appointed as the London 2012 Organising Committee's Sport Competition Manager for equestrian events at the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games. These will take place at Greenwich Park in south east London.
Tim will be responsible for the planning, organisation and management of the Olympic and Paralympic Equestrian events in 2012 - Show Jumping, Dressage, and Cross Country.
Commenting on his appointment Tim said: "I'm thrilled to have this once in a lifetime opportunity to be involved in delivering the Equestrian sports for the London Games. The site at Greenwich is spectacular and I'm confident that 2012 will be a unique and amazing experience for everyone involved. I look forward to working with local residents, the Equestrian world, and all our stakeholders to make the events a huge success. We have so much expertise in this country which I intend to draw on as we build a team to work on the event."
The International Equestrian Federation (FEI) Secretary General Alex McLin commented: "The FEI is very pleased with the appointment of a person with Tim's knowledge of horse sport as the Equestrian Competition Manager for London 2012. The fact that this is a full-time function will allow for the detailed consideration of all the organisational aspects of the sport. The FEI is looking forward to exceptional Olympic and Paralympic Equestrian events to be held in the heart of London. This will undoubtedly provide a strong legacy in increased interest and participation in horse sport across London the UK as a whole."
Andrew Finding, Chief Executive of the British Equestrian Federation (BEF) said: "I am delighted for Tim. He has undertaken some outstanding work for the Federation in the last few years. He is knowledgeable, thoughtful, caring and consultative in his approach. He will be a great asset as our sport's Competition Manager. The BEF also fully supports the choice of Greenwich Park as London 2012's venue for equestrian events."
Tim's responsibilities include the overseeing of all aspects of the Equestrian events, ensuring they are organised in accordance with the international equestrian federation (FEI) rules, the International Olympic Charter and the Host City Contract. He will be the focal point for liaison with the FEI and the BEF, and he will be working with all functional areas to ensure the coordinated delivery of a wide range of support services such as the design of the venue, operational aspects, accreditation, transport and organisation of volunteers. Tim will initially start his role in October.
Having ridden for much of his life, Tim worked as a cross country course builder, moving on to course design and in to event management, becoming Director of Blair Castle International Horse Trials in the 1990s. In 1996, he was appointed Technical Advisor for British Eventing, and in 2002 became Sport and Technical Manager responsible for the management and development of the sport.
More recently as consultant to the BEF, Tim has advised on matters relating to increasing levels of participation, facilities development and the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, liaising on projects such as the Pre-Games Training Camp identification process. His work for the BEF has included a successful funding application which will result in £1.4m being invested in to grass root equestrian sport over the next three years.
Tim travelled to Hong Kong as part of a team of FEI International Specialists to work on the Cross Country phase of the Olympic test event in 2007 and will return as part of the same team for the Olympic Games in August.
His other international experience includes:
- Eventing Manager at Bramham International Horse Trials working alongside London 2012 Course Designer Sue Benson;
- Establishing the British Eventing Premier League linking up the top International Events including Badminton and Burghley Horse Trials;
- Equestrian Sport Volunteer at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games;
- Supporting the Technical Delegate, recruiting and leading a team of Eventing experts from Britain to help deliver the cross country phase of the 2006 Asian Games in Qatar;
- FEI Technical Delegate including Assistant Technical Director at Blenheim and Bramham Three Day Events, and Technical Director at Houghton Hall.
