Van Commenee upbeat but not complacent about Olympic medal chances

By Sportsbeat staff

CHARLES Van Commenee believes Great Britain are on course to achieve his ambitious target of eight athletics medals at next year's Olympics - but the trademark taskmaster won't tolerate any complacency.

OPINION: Charles Van Commenee is upbeat about Britain's medal chances at this year's World Championships and next year's Olympics - but claims there will be no complacency (Getty Images)

The UK Athletics head coach guided Holland to their second highest position on the athletics medal table in Beijing and believes the omens look good for Team GB.

Reigning world champions Jess Ennis and Phillips Idowu will be among his medal bankers but Van Commenee believes there are another 15 medal chances that could deliver at London's sparkling new Olympic stadium.

"The last two years have been good and it's positive as we look towards London," he said, at an event for UKA sponsors Alfa Romeo.

"In order to win eight medals we probably need to have 17 or 18 medal contenders because some will get injured or just won't perform on the day.

"It takes time to get athletes into the medal zone and when I started this job two years ago it was a big challenge.

"The World Championships this year will give us an indication were we are but I'm glad of every extra month to prepare. I'm glad the Olympics are in 2012, not 2011."