World Sailing hires ex British official Andy Hunt as new CEO

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 8:21 p.m. ET

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SOUTHAMPTON, England (AP) Sailing's world governing body has hired a new CEO as it wrestles with the problem of staging this year's Olympic competition in sewage-infested waters in Rio de Janeiro.

Andy Hunt, a former chief executive of the British Olympic Association, replaces Peter Sowrey at World Sailing. Sowrey resigned in December after just five months in the role.

World Sailing President Carlo Croce said Monday that Hunt combines ''exceptional business leadership credentials, with an excellent track record in sports administration.''

Tests conducted by The Associated Press last year exposed contamination in Rio's waterways that will be used in the Olympics.