Danish NOC appoints Morten Mølholm Hansen as new chief executive

Morten Mølholm Hansen has been appointed the chief executive of the DIF ©DIF

The National Olympic Committee and Sports Confederation of Denmark (DIF) have announced the appointment of Morten Mølholm Hansen as the organisation’s chief executive.

Hansen was previously acting director of the DIF and he replaces Karl Christian Koch, who had to step down for health reasons.

The 53-year-old joined International Olympic Committee (IOC) Communications Commission earlier this month and he has been involved with the DIF since 1992.

“It's a big job that would succeed capacity as Karl Chr. Koch, and therefore I am also very humbly to the task,” Hansen said.

“I thank the Board for the confidence it has shown in me.

“The voluntary association sport is one of the pillars of our society, and it is in my heart very closely.

“Therefore, it is a great honour to stand in the forefront of efforts to preserve and develop it.

“I look forward to working with the board, management group and DIF's employees.

“I'm also looking forward to constructive cooperation with our colleagues in the National Federations, our active athletes, our many volunteers, our partners in Team Denmark, DGI and Company Sport, politicians at Christiansborg and Municipalities, as well as all DIF's other partners.”

Lasse Norman Hansen was one of two Danish gold medallists at London 2012 — Lasse Norman Hansen was one of two Danish Olympic gold medallists at London 2012 ©Getty Images

Hansen will be charged with continuing the development of sport in Denmark along with executives from 61 different Federations in the country.

Morten Olesen has also been promoted to chief financial officer as part of the restructure.

DIF President Niels Nygaard congratulated Hansen on his new role.

“It was a very strong field of applicants,” he added.

“The choice fell on Morten Mølholm Hansen, because we believe that he is best placed to lead DIF optimally through the exciting and challenging tasks that lie ahead.

“Moreover, he left a very strong impression in interviews with the Appointment Committee.”

Denmark won a total of nine Olympic medals at London 2012, including two gold, their best performance since Atlanta 1996.

They sent a team of 12 athletes to last year's Winter Olympics in Sochi, although they did not win a medal.