UK Athletics chief Joanna Coates and performance director Sara Symington resign

Joanna Coates has resigned as chief executive of UK Athletics and performance director Sara Symington has stepped down to join British Cycling.

Coates was appointed in February 2020, after Zara Hyde-Peters opted not to take up the role.

UK Athletics chair Ian Beattie said: "I'd like to thank Jo and Sara for their work and I wish them both all the best for the future."

Development director Mark Munro will take over as interim boss.

UK Athletics says that will "provide strategic continuity and leadership to the staff, athletes and coaches".

The organisation will receive £22m from UK Sport for the Paris Olympic cycle.

Symington, a former cyclist who competed at the 2000 and 2004 Olympics, has been appointed head of British Cycling's Olympic and Paralympic programme.

"This is an incredible opportunity to play a pivotal role within cycling - the nation's most successful Olympic and Paralympic sport," she said.

British Cycling performance director Stephen Park added: "I have respected Sara's work throughout her career, and I am thrilled she will be able to join our senior leadership team."

Analysis

BBC sports editor Dan Roan

Joanna Coates was tasked with leading UKA's recovery after a sustained period of crisis and turbulence at the organisation.

Instead, having been in the post for under two years, she has gone, plunging the sport into yet more upheaval.

A number of factors may have been behind her decision.

The financial challenges she inherited were exacerbated by the pandemic and a long-term partnership with the BBC expired, leaving the sport without a broadcast partner.

For the first time since 1996, Great Britain's athletics team failed to win a single gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics, putting pressure on two controversial appointments Coates made; performance director Sara Symington and head coach Christian Malcolm.

Some athletes voiced their concerns over cuts to coaching budgets to Lord Coe in Zurich last month.