Collins Steps Down From UK Athletics

As expected, Dave Collins has stood down from his post as performance director at UK Athletics following a disappointing medal haul at the Beijing Games.

Collins succeeded outgoing Max Jones in March 2005 but UK Athletics has decided not to renew his contract, which runs out in March although he will step down with immediate effect.
 
His exit comes after Britain’s athletes fell one short of the five-medal target set by UK Sport at the Beijing Games.

UKA is set to announce his replacement shortly with Dutch Olympic chef de mission Charles van Commenee favourite.

UKA chief executive Niels de Vos plans to scrap the performance director post and create the new role of head coach.

Commented De Vos: ‘We haven’t ruled anyone out for the post. We won’t be advertising. We have looked abroad, everywhere. I can’t stay who it will be. We will make an announcement in the next few days.’

The British team left China with just four medals as Christine Ohurogu claimed a single gold in the 400m, triple jumper Phillips Idowu and high jumper Germaine Mason captured silver while 400m hurdler Tasha Danvers took a surprise bronze.

The governing body is now under pressure to deliver more medals in the most high-profile sport when the Olympics come to London in 2012.

‘Our planning for this next Olympic cycle got under way several months ago and this decision and any subsequent appointment is the culmination of this detailed process,’ De Vos explained.

‘It certainly is not a negative reflection on what has gone before, on the contrary there is no doubt we have made progress since 2004. It’s not a reaction to the Games. We would have done the same changes if we would have won 10 medals in Beijing.

‘However we now need to take the next step on the performance ladder and give ourselves and British athletes the very best chance of success at a home Games in 2012.’