UK Athletics coach quits after missing targets

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LONDON (AP) — Charles van Commenee is to step down from his post as head coach of UK Athletics after the British track team's failure to meet his medals target at the London Olympics.

Van Commenee, who will leave in December, set a target of at least eight medals and one gold. Britain won six medals, although four were gold.

The Dutchman says in a statement he worked hard to "implement accountability as it is vital to the culture of elite sport" and his decision has "the interests of British athletics at its heart in sustaining this culture."

Niels de Vos, UKA chief executive, says Van Commenee has done an "excellent job" since joining in 2009 after the Beijing Games, where Britain won just one gold in track and field.