London ’12 Marathon Chief Quits Over Frustration with Organisers

April 5, 2011

It has been revealed that David Bedford, London 2012’s Olympic marathon chief, has stepped down after expressing his “frustration” with organisers of the Games.

It took until yesterday, April 4, that Bedford, also race director of the London Marathon, who was marathon manager for the 2012 event, had quit back in February.

Bedford told the London Evening Standard: “I quit my role; I resigned. We (London Marathon) are a professional business run by professionals and it was very difficult to work for another organisation who in the main have never organised an event of their own.”

London Marathon chief executive Nick Bitel said Bedford’s decision was “personal” and the organisation would continue to work with Games organisers on the marathons and race walk events.

In an interview with the Press Association, Bitel stated: “David has decided not to work on the Olympic events any more. That’s his personal choice and I very much regret his decision. The decision was due to his frustration with LOCOG’s (London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games) approach to event management.”

Bitel, who would not expand on what had caused Bedford’s frustration, added: “He has incredible knowledge and experience so we regret the fact he’s not working on the events, but we are continuing to work closely and harmoniously with LOCOG and we are confident that they will be great events.”