Christian Malcolm Named Head Coach At UK Athletics
He'll take up the post later this year.
Welsh former sprinter Christian Malcolm has been appointed as head coach of British Athletics' Olympic Programme.
The 41 year old from Newport will lead the senior teams at major championships when he takes up the post later this year.
Malcolm, a world, European and Commonwealth Games medallist, had been head of performance at Athletics Australia.
Christian Malcolm said: "Words can’t describe how excited I am to have the opportunity to take this role on and be part of a new start for British Athletics.
"As an athlete I knew I wanted to give back to the sport when I finished competing. In all my coaching and advisory roles so far, I have wanted to help athletes avoid the errors I made and support them and their coaches to get the best out of themselves. I’ve worked with some world class coaches throughout my career whilst competing, as part of the GB relay set up and whilst at Athletics Australia.
"They’ve all helped me to grow in various ways, but I know my first coach Jock Anderson would have been the most pleased to see me take this role and use all that he taught me about helping athletes prepare.
"I’m very excited to be re-joining British Athletics at this time. Jo (Coates) and Sara (Symington) have a great outlook as to what the sport can achieve from playground to podium. There is a new energy and drive and I’m looking forward to helping athletes and coaches towards success in Tokyo, Paris and beyond."
James Williams, CEO at Welsh Athletics, said: "Everyone at Welsh Athletics is delighted to hear of Christian’s appointment. His credentials speak for themselves, and he has always demonstrated his passion for the sport at all levels, and we look forward to working with him once again following his return from Australia.
"UKA and the Home Countries are committed to working closely together to implement a sporting pathway from playground to podium, and I have no doubt that both Christian and Sara Symington will be in constant close communication with our own performance team in the months ahead."