Swedish coach Eriksson hopes to bring success
UK Athletics are to appoint Peter Eriksson as Charles van Commenee’s successor as head coach after the former’s success in charge of Great Britain’s Paralympics team.
The 59-year-old overlooked the accumulation of 120 medals throughout the London 2012 Paralympic Games in which Britain secured an overall third place with a tally of 17 more medals than the target originally set by funding body UK Sport.
“It is a great privilege to be asked to take on this role,” said Eriksson, whose first substantial challenge as head coach will be the 2013 World Athletics Championship in Russia.
“I will continue with the methods and approach that has proved so successful in the Paralympic arena. The next five years look like an exhilarating time for British athletics.”
It will not be until the expiration of the outspoken Van Commenee’s contract in December that Eriksson will officially begin the role, but it is hoped that he will be able to inspire further improvement in the team before the Rio 2016 Olympic Games and the 2017 World Athletics Championships in London.
Under Van Commenee – who was appointed after the disappointing 2008 Games – Team GB produced their best performance since 1964.