• Athletics

UKA names Peter Eriksson as head coach

ESPN staff
October 29, 2012
Peter Eriksson joined UK Athletics in 2009 © PA Photos
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Peter Eriksson will be the man to fill Charles van Commenee's shoes after being appointed Olympic head coach by UK Athletics.

The Swede is already familiar with his employers, having joined UKA in 2009 as Paralympic head coach, steering the British team to third at London 2012.

"It is a great privilege to be asked to take on this role," Eriksson said. "I will continue with the methods and approach that has proved so successful in the Paralympic arena, and that has been about strong performance management of our best medal prospects to maximise the likelihood of medal winning performances.

"The Olympic team performed very well in London, finishing fourth in the world with four golds so I have a great platform on which to build. But I believe that we can still do better in Rio 2016, and of course when the IAAF World Athletics Championships take place in the London Olympic Stadium in 2017.

"The next five years look like an exhilarating time for British athletics."

Eriksson will begin his new role with immediate effect following the departure of Van Commenee last month.

UKA performance director Neil Black said: "Peter has proved time and again that he has the priceless ability to lead and inspire athletes to deliver when it matters most - at the biggest championships, on the global stage.

"He is a rare talent, fantastically well positioned to now assume leadership of the Olympic team, and to build on the impressive progress the sport has made between Beijing and London."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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