UK athletics chief admits to fears over Euro overkill

But the 52-year-old warned it will be a very different story in Helsinki in two years' time, when the championships will finish on 1 July, just 26 days before the start of the London 2012 Olympics.

Commonwealth silver medallist Jo Pavey last night joined the likes of Christine Ohuruogu, Goldie Sayers, Kelly Sotherton and Greg Rutherford in being ruled out of the Aviva Great Britain and Northern Ireland team through injury, Van Commenee admitting the 36-year-old's toe injury meant she would be unable to do herself justice.

At least injuries will not be so much of an issue in 2012, but the fact that the European Championships will have switched from a four to a two-year cycle certainly will be.

"In Britain we always have the trials and they are in conflict with the Euros in 2012," explained Van Commenee. "We cherish our trials, which are very important, especially in an Olympic year.

"Track athletes are expected to run three rounds in the trials (because) I expect them to run three or four rounds in the Olympics. If we have a European Championships in between and I select athletes in the track events for the Euros they will be dead and buried before the Olympic Games start.

"Therefore you will not see athletes who will qualify for the Olympics in Helsinki in track events. For some individuals it may fit in, but for others it will not."

Asked about having a European Championships in an Olympic year, Van Commenee added: "It's like everything in life, if you get too much it's detrimental. I like my water but if I drink too much, I drown. If I eat too much I'm going to get fat.

"I think too many titles creates inflation, it becomes less valuable. I'm not a big fan of it. Nobody will remember the European champion two years ago or two years after, it's too many.

It has to be special.

"I've explained what we will do in 2012, how that will be in the years after I'm not sure because maybe the EAA (European Athletics Association) will evaluate and determine what the future will be for the European Championships."

The situation does at least leave the door open for Dwain Chambers to compete in Helsinki, given that he is ineligible to compete in London due to his two-year ban from the sport after testing positive for the banned steroid THG in 2003.

The 32-year-old said last week Barcelona would almost certainly be his last European Championships, but could he now be persuaded to carry on, especially with Merlene Ottey competing in the 4x100m relay in Barcelona at the age of 50?

"I just heard (about Helsinki]," said Chambers, who won the European title in 2002 but had to hand back his gold medal following his drugs conviction. "We'll see, let's get these championships out the way first and then we'll see what the future holds. It's fantastic to see she (Ottey] is still able to compete at this level but for me I just want to enjoy it while I still have the youth in me. I want to enjoy it as a young adult, not an elderly one, no disrespect to her! For me it's just having fun while I'm young then moving on to bigger and better pastures." Chambers is joined in the 100m by promising youngster James Dasaolu and former Olympic relay champion Mark Lewis-Francis, the latter and Marlon Devonish being handed late places in the individual 100m and 200m respectively.

"I think they have a good chance to make the final and that was the selection criteria," Van Commenee added. "They proved enough to me in training.

"An important factor here is that it contributes to the relay. Some athletes are better off knowing they have to be busy before. It's not going to be easy to win the relay this time so we need all the guys in the best possible shape."

Five Brits to Watch

Jessica Ennis, heptathlon

Hot favourite to add Euro gold to the world title she won in commanding fashion in Berlin last year.

Dai Greene, 400m hurdles

Burst onto the international scene by finishing seventh in the World final in Berlin, and the former European Under-23 champion will be looking to add the senior title.

Martyn Rooney, 400m

Rooney has made no secret of his desire to win the European title this season and is ranked third-fastest in Europe, breaking the 45-second barrier twice.

William Sharman, 110m hurdles

Sprang to prominence with a surprise fourth place in Berlin last year, despite only being a late addition to the British team.

Jenny Meadows, 800m

Won bronze in Berlin last year, behind controversial South African Caster Semenya, and added silver in the world indoors in Doha in March.