Sport Minister Stewart Maxwell said it was a time of change

Sportscotland chairwoman Julia Bracewell, as well as Institute of Sport chairman, broadcaster Dougie Donnelly, have been sacked.

The move followed the Scottish Government's decision to merge the boards of the organisations.

Mr Donnelly said athletes' prospects would be damaged by a "ridiculous" piece of political manoeuvring.

Mr Donnelly told BBC Scotland he had been asked to quit - and had not stepped down by choice - while Ms Bracewell, a former Olympic fencer, added that she was "disappointed" by the moves.

This is not about sport, it's about politics Dougie Donnelly

The pair will formally stand down on 15 February and an interim chairman of sportscotland will be appointed from the current board, as the search begins for a permanent replacement "as soon as possible".

Mr Donnelly said: "I'm disappointed, clearly not for me because this is not about me.

"It's about the institute, it's about 55 full-time staff and about another 50 - all of whose jobs are to ensure that we have Scottish sporting success - and, of course, it is about the athletes whose chances of that sporting success have, without any doubt, been damaged by this ridiculous piece of political manoeuvring.

"I cannot see any benefit at all to our athletes and, I'm afraid, this is not about sport, it's about politics."

The merger was embroiled in controversy when it was announced last week after details went to the media before MSPs.

'National benefits'

The SNP, whose election manifesto included a commitment to scrap sportscotland, were accused of a U-turn.

But the Scottish Government said the new structure would cut bureaucracy and boost support for grassroots and elite sport, while pointing out that a number of sporting bodies - as well as Ms Bracewell - had welcomed the decision.

Sport Minister Stewart Maxwell paid tribute to the "positive contribution" Mr Donnelly and Ms Bracewell had played in developing sport, adding: "This is a time of considerable change, not only for sportscotland, but also for Scottish sport as a whole.

"The new organisation will drive forward this government's policy of simplifying the sporting landscape, ensuring the interests of sport remain paramount, and the whole nation benefits."