Charles van Commenee to resign as UK Athletics chief

Published on 11/09/2012 15:27

UK Athletics head coach Charles van Commenee is to leave his post at the end of the year, the governing body has confirmed.

• van Commenee to leave in December after failing to meet London medal target

• Uk Athletics chief executive Niels de Vos praises “excellent job” by Dutchman

The 54-year-old Dutchman will leave when his contract expires in December, having failed to meet his own target of eight athletics medals at the Olympics.

Van Commenee has been head coach since 2009, and stated before the Olympics began that he would leave if he failed to meet his target. The team won six medals, with golds from Greg Rutherford, Jessica Ennis, and two from Mo Farah.

Van Commenee said today: “(UKA chief executive) Niels de Vos and I have worked hard to implement accountability as it is vital to the culture of elite sport, and this has been absolutely central to what we have achieved here in a short space of time.

“Whilst I am thankful for the kind comments and wishes I have received in recent weeks, I believe my decision has the interests of British athletics at its heart in sustaining this culture.

“I am happy the future is looking promising with the talent that is about to break through now. But now it needs the new energy and approach by the new leadership team through to 2017.”

UK Athletics CEO Niels De Vos said: “Charles has done an excellent job preparing British Athletics for the 2012 Olympic Games. We have spoken daily for the last four years and have discussed the post 2012 position almost as often.

“He and I have always been aware of the possibility of him leaving and we are confident that our long term plan will enable us to continue building on the success we achieved in London.”