• Athletics

Coe commends 'cultural shift'

ESPN staff
August 4, 2010
Mo Farah won two gold medals in Barcelona © Getty Images
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Lord Coe believes that Great Britain's disappointing athletics medal haul at the Beijing Olympics has inspired a shift in attitude within the sport.

Christine Ohuruogu was Team GB's sole gold medallist inside the Olympic stadium as the athletics team picked up four medals in an otherwise successful Games for Team GB.

Charles van Commenee returned to the helm of UK Athletics after the Beijing Games, and his influence has seen marked improvements.

At the European Athletics Championships in Barcelona last week, Team GB won 19 medals including six golds, to finish third in the medal table behind Russia and France. At the last European Championships in Gothenburg four years ago, Britain won a single gold medal in the men's 4x100m relay.

"I think Charles van Commenee and his leadership team at UK Athletics on the back of the Beijing Olympics decided that they really did have to up their game between Beijing and London," Coe told Sky Sports News.

"I think what we are seeing now is a cultural shift. It's recognising that good enough is no longer good enough and athletes are being tested, their coaches are being tested and there's more coherence in the coaching structure as well."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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