Canadian appointed chairman of Olympic Broadcasting Services

Dick Pound poses for a photo in London, Ont., on Nov. 1, 2010. (CP / Dave Chidley)

LAUSANNE, Switzerland -- Senior Canadian IOC member Dick Pound has been given a key role in Olympic broadcasting.

The International Olympic Committee says Pound has been appointed chairman of the board of Olympic Broadcasting Services.

Created by the IOC in 2001, OBS serves as the host broadcaster for all Olympics, providing a global feed of every sport.

Pound takes over for Hein Verbruggen, the former Dutch IOC member and ex-president of international cycling federation UCI.

Pound, from Montreal, is a former IOC vice-president and ex-head of the World Anti-Doping Agency. He ran unsuccessfully for IOC president in 2001, losing to Jacques Rogge.

Pound's appointment was made by new IOC President Thomas Bach, who succeeded Rogge in September.

Longtime Olympic TV executive Manolo Romero will serve as vice chairman of OBS.