Van Commenee expected to be named head of UK Athletics
Kelly Sotherton expects Charles van Commenee to do a good job
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Thursday, 18, Sep 2008 09:12
Dutchman Charles van Commenee is expected to be named as the new national performance director of UK Athletics (UKA).
After a disappointing Beijing Olympics in the track and field, which saw Team GB win only four medals, Dave Collins stood down as performance director last month.
UK Athletics are now turning to Van Commenee to bring them success in London 2012. The 50-year-old was favourite to take up the role of performance director in 2004, but his no-nonsense style was thought to be the reason why missed out and he eventually ruled himself out of the running as he got frustrated with the time it took to make the appointment.
Van Commenee has coached Olympians Denise Lewis and Kelly Sotherton, and heptathlete Sotherton warned British athletes they face a tough ride with the Dutchman in-charge.
"Some people will have a rude awakening," said Sotherton. "He is a great coach, he has coached world and Olympic champions, he is very tough and he is not short of words.
"Athletes are going in the right direction and he can add another dimension. There are only a few of us who know what he is like. He knows how to get results. He works hard and does not wait for things to happen. Nothing happens by chance with Charles - things happen because he makes them happen."
Van Commenee has experience in the role he is about to take as he was the Dutch chef de mission in the Beijing Olympics. He also worked as the UKA's multi-events director, before moving to Holland in 2004.