News APP

NewsApp (Free)

Read news as it happens
Download NewsApp

Available on  gplay

This article was first published 11 years ago
Home  » Sports » Australia names Briton Nathan new athletics chief

Australia names Briton Nathan new athletics chief

February 11, 2013 10:16 IST
Get Rediff News in your Inbox:

Simon Nathan, who helped Britain's athletics team clinch four golds medals at the London Olympics, has been named Australia's high performance director of athletics.

Briton Nathan, a long-serving coach with British Athletics, will be responsible for strategy, contracts, selection policy and funding in an over-arching role within governing body Athletics Australia (AA).

Simon Nathan"I had a great time at the London Olympics, which went very well for me personally," Nathan said in a statement released by AA on Monday. Britain also won a silver and a bronze medal in the athletics events in London.

"I've always admired the Australian sporting culture and the chance to be able to contribute directly is very exciting."

Nathan takes on the portfolio relinquished by former high performance manager Eric Hollingsworth, who will focus exclusively on his role as AA's head coach after a controversy-marred leadup to the London Games.

AA came under scrutiny for a number of spats with athletes over team selections in the leadup to London, prompting Australia's Olympic Committee to intervene.

Australia targeted six medals in London but came home with only one gold, to 100 metres hurdles champion Sally Pearson, and two silvers.

Photograph: Gary M. Prior/Getty Images

Get Rediff News in your Inbox:
Source: REUTERS
© Copyright 2024 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.

Paris Olympics 2024

India's Tour Of Australia 2024-25