Ex-USOC head quits as chief of European Games

BAKU, Azerbaijan (AP) Former U.S. Olympic Committee chief executive Jim Scherr has resigned as chief operating officer of the inaugural European Games and has been replaced by former British Olympic official Simon Clegg.

Scherr, who led the organizing effort for the 2015 games in Baku for 12 months, says ''it is the right time'' to return to the United States to spend time with his family and resume his role with a marketing agency he founded.

Scherr oversaw the U.S. team at the 2004, 2006 and 2008 Olympics.

Taking over in Baku will be Clegg, a former chief executive of the British Olympic Association and Ipswich football club.

Clegg, who has been serving as executive director for the European Games, will relocate to Baku this week.

The European Games will feature 6,000 athletes from 49 countries competing in 19 sports.