Mike Hay has been appointed Britain's Chef de Mission for Pyeongchang 2018 ©BOA

Mike Hay will lead Britain's team for the second consecutive Winter Olympic Games after he was appointed Chef de Mission for Pyeongchang 2018 today.

The 53-year-old led the Britain to their joint most successful Winter Olympics in history at Sochi 2014, where they returned with four medals, including a gold for Lizzy Yarnold in the skeleton. 

Their results in the Russian city matched their performance from the 1924 Winter Olympics at Chamonix.

Hay, a winner of five European curling titles and two World Championship silver medals as an athlete, also guided the country’s women’s curling side to the Olympic title at Salt Lake City 2002.

He is currently the head of sport engagement at the British Olympic Association (BOA) and his selection as Chef de Mission was approved unanimously by the organisation’s Board of Directors.

"To be asked to lead Team GB again is a huge honour and I’m delighted to be Chef de Mission for Pyeongchang 2018," said Hay.

"The success of the team four years ago gave the nation great cause to be proud of our Winter Olympians and helped put winter sport at the forefront of our sporting landscape.

"Winter sport has always been a great passion of mine and, coupled with the experience from Sochi 2014, I hope we can once again deliver a fantastic Games for our athletes."

Lizzy Yarnold won the gold in the skeleton at Sochi 2014 as Britain matched their best ever total of four medals at Winter Olympic Games, a record that had stood for 90 years ©Getty Images
Lizzy Yarnold won the gold in the skeleton at Sochi 2014 as Britain matched their best ever total of four medals at Winter Olympic Games, a record that had stood for 90 years ©Getty Images

The 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, the first edition of the event to ever be held in South Korea, are due to take place from February 9 to 25.

The Games will see four additional events on the programme from Sochi 2014 - snowboard big air, curling mixed doubles, speed skating mass start and the alpine skiing team.

"No one is better qualified to lead Team GB at the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games than Mike Hay and we’re delighted to confirm him as our Chef de Mission," said BOA chief executive Bill Sweeney.

"Following on from Sochi 2014 and Rio 2016, in which Mike played a vital role as Deputy Chef de Mission, Team GB is going from strength to strength as the success of the team and Olympic sport as a whole continues.

"Pyeongchang 2018 is set to be a fantastic Games and represents another opportunity to inspire the nation and galvanise support behind Team GB once again."

The appointment comes just over a month after Britain's athletes returned from the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro with a total of 67 medals, including 27 gold.