APRIL CYCLING NEWS

PETER KEEN 'S NEW ROLE

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PETER KEEN JOINS LUCOZADE TEAM

The world of cycling has been waiting with baited breath for news of Peter Keen's new job ever since he announced his departure from British Cycling two weeks ago. Well, here's the press release we received on the subject yesterday - interesting and unexpected, we think!

GlaxoSmithKline today announces the official launch of the Lucozade Sport Science Academy® (LSSA) and the appointment of Peter Keen OBE to the newly-created position of LSSA Performance Director.

The Lucozade Sport Science Academy® will bring together academic experts and elite sportspeople to improve sporting performance through better nutrition. Members of the LSSA team will focus on creating relationships that meet the nutritional needs of key individuals and organisations within the world of high performance sport to help drive performance and increase understanding of the importance of optimum nutrition.

Specific LSSA initiatives will include:
· research partnerships with leading academics
· a new product development pipeline focused on the needs of elite sports people
· the LSSA Sports Nutrition knowledge workshop
· a dedicated LSSA web site (www.theLSSA.com)
· Advisory Board forums for independent discussion and debate

Key individuals from the areas of sport performance and sport science attended the official launch of the LSSA at GlaxoSmithKline’s headquarters in west London on Friday 25 April 2003, where they heard about the Academy’s vision, objectives and key initiatives.

Among the people attending the event were world champion rower James Cracknell and his coach Jurgen Grobler, representatives from Premiership football and rugby union performance teams, leading sports dieticians and strategic partners from key health and fitness clubs.

Peter Keen OBE appointed LSSA Performance Director

GSK today also announces the appointment of Peter Keen OBE to the newly-created position of LSSA Performance Director. In this role, Peter will shape the direction, output, relationships and profile of the LSSA within the world of elite sport.

Exercise physiologist, Olympic coach and accomplished cyclist, Peter’s most recent role has been Performance Director at the British Cycling Federation, where he has helped drive the performance, success and profile of the British team. Already a recognised and respected figure within the world of elite sport, in his new role as Performance Director at the LSSA, he is well positioned to help bring the academy vision to life.

Peter will be responsible for building and managing partnerships with other leading figures in world of elite sport, understanding their needs and how the LSSA can meet these. The Performance Director role is also fundamental in sharing insights and best practice nutrition between sports, anticipating future needs, encouraging debate and dialogue on key performance and nutrition issues among leading sports participants and influencers, and raising the profile and importance of nutrition with organisations throughout British sport.

He will work closely with GSK’s research and development scientists at the LSSA who, in conjunction with leading research academics and institutions across the UK, are responsible for advancing the company’s scientific understanding and managing the new product development process to meet the needs of high performance sport.

Peter said: “The launch of the LSSA is a groundbreaking development in the world of high-performance sport. The opportunity to help develop better nutritional products and services for present and future sportspeople within a world-class organisation like GlaxoSmithKline is one that I could not resist. The need for carefully researched, evidence-based answers to the nutritional needs of sportspeople has never been greater and I am looking forward to the challenge of delivering these through the LSSA.”

Graham Neale, Vice President and General Manager of GSK Nutritional Healthcare said: “We are thrilled that Peter is joining us as LSSA Performance Director. This is a unique position and Peter brings to the Academy, and GSK, extensive expertise, insight and first-hand experience that will help us bring the LSSA to life and offer real benefits to our partners.

“Peter is one of only a handful of individuals with such experience and credibility within the world of elite sport. He will undoubtedly be a tremendous asset and driving force within the LSSA team.

“This appointment and the launch of the LSSA, clearly demonstrate our commitment to use GSK’s scientific knowledge to benefit sports people at all levels,” said Graham.