Ex-Olympic rower and member of the IOC executive board named chairman of 2012 Co-ordination Commission.

The International Olympic Committee has appointed Denis Oswald chairman of its Co-ordination Commission for the 2012 Olympics in London.

Oswald will head a 15-strong, multinational team of men and women charged with aiding the London Olympics Organising Committee in the seven years leading up to the event.

A former Olympic rowing medallist and member of the IOC since 1991, Oswald is a member of the IOC executive board and president of the International Rowing Federation.

He was also chairman of the Co-ordination Commission for the 2004 Athens Olympics.

"Denis Oswald is the ideal person to lead the IOC's partnership with London during the preparations for the 2012 Olympic Games," said IOC president Jacques Rogge.

"Denis brings a unique combination of skills and experience as a medal-winning, three-time Olympic athlete and a sports leader with nearly 30 years of experience organising international competitions of the highest level."