CHRISTIAN Malcolm has been appointed as a member of the new-look Sport Wales board by the Welsh Government.

The former Olympic sprinter from Newport, who won medals at the World Championships, European Championships and Commonwealth Games, is one of four new board members.

Sport Wales is the national organisation responsible for developing and promoting sport and physical activity in Wales, and is the main adviser on sporting matters to the Welsh Government.

It is also responsible for distributing National Lottery funds to both elite and grassroots sport in Wales.

Paralympian and chair of Disability Sport Wales Pippa Britton is the quango’s new vice-chair after previous incumbent Adele Baumgardt and former chair Paul Thomas were sacked earlier this year.

Public health minister Rebecca Evans has also named Ashok Ahir, Ian Bancroft and Alison Thorne as new board members alongside Malcolm.

They will start their term of office on October 1 and hold positions for a three-year period.

In addition, the minister has re-appointed former Dragons and Wales back-rower Richard Parks and Samar Wafa as members of the board – their three-year term of office will begin on September 1.

“I’m very pleased to appoint Pippa Britton as the new vice-chair of Sport Wales, and Ashok Ahir, Ian Bancroft, Christian Malcolm and Alison Thorne as members of the board,” said the minister.

“I’m also pleased to re-appoint Richard Parks and Samar Wafa as members of the board.

“Together, they bring a wealth of experience of working with under-engaged communities to inspire and increase participation levels, as well as an understanding of the needs of elite athletes.

“I am grateful to the new members for accepting the invitation to serve on the board. I am also grateful to those out-going members for their service.

“I am confident the board has the expertise and experience required to support me and the staff of Sport Wales in taking forward our ambitions for a more active and successful nation.”