Van Commenee quits after missing target

Charles van Commenee will leave his role as head coach after Team GB failed to reach its medal target at the London Olympics.

Going into the Games, the 54-year-old insisted he would stand down as the head of UK Athletics (UKA) if he failed to deliver eight track and field medals. "If I hold athletes and coaches accountable every day, how could I work over the next four years if I am not held accountable myself?" Van Commenee said ahead of London 2012. The Dutchman fell two short of his target, though four of Team GB's six medals were gold. Mo Farah, Jessica Ennis and Greg Rutherford delivered a 'Super Saturday' in the Olympic Stadium but that memorable occasion was not enough to convince van Commenee to stay. UK Athletics has said van Commenee's successor is set to be announced "shortly". Chief executive Niels de Vos hailed the outgoing coach's impact on British athletics. "There is no doubt Charles has helped to transform our culture, and we can now look forward to further success under the leadership of a new team," said De Vos. Van Commenee will leave UKA when his contract expires in December.