Charles Van Commenee: An apology

Sportsbeat's James Toney pens an open letter of apology to British Athletics head coach Charles Van Commenee.

JOB WELL DONE: UK Athletics head coach Charles Van Commenee delivered on and even exceeded expectations at the World Athletics Championships (Getty Images)

Monday, 24th August, 2009

Winters Hotel, Berlin

Dear Charles,

My first editor – a man full of wit and other things that rhyme with that – once told me his golden rule of journalism.

“Whatever you do, son,” he said. “Never say sorry, it’s a sign of weakness.”

I have tried throughout my career to stick to that mantra.

However, as I bid auf wiedersehn to Germany and follow Usain Bolt to the beach, I have reread my pre-championship analysis – helpfully titled Berlin medal chances look as bleak as the British summer.

It’s fair to say the best thing about it was the alliteration in the headline, which I did not write.

In the old days, it’s a story that would already be forgotten and lining the cat litter tray – now it’s recorded here, timelessly stored on the ether of the internet.

In my defence, I was not the only one to sneer unhelpfully at your prediction of five medals.

GOLD MEDAL NUMBER ONE: Jess Ennis started the ball rolling with a victory in the hepathlon (Getty Images)

I was quietly impressed when even in the face of mounting injury problems to the main list of medal contenders – Germaine Mason, Christine Ohuruogu, Natasha Danvers, Mara Yamauchi, Paula Radcliffe – you refused to budge.

You were right, I was wrong. In the words of the song, I apologise a thousand times.

There is much of which you should be rightly proud.

Our only two genuine gold medal contenders, Jess Ennis and Phillips Idowu, both delivered world-class performances when it really mattered.

GOLD MEDAL NUMBER TWO: Phillips Idowu upgraded his Olympic silver medal in the men's triple jump - and produced a big personal best (Getty Images)

Their successes will rightly be remembered but it was bronze for Jenny Meadows in the 800m that remains my highlight.

Sometimes when you hear athletes talk about their ambition of making the podium – and then look at their record – you feel the need to deliver a short sharp reality check.

But Meadows proved it can be done, the raw power of perseverance should never be underestimated and I should not always be such a professional cynic.

She only won her first domestic medal a few weeks ago and her story will rightly serve as an inspiration for all those that head home for Berlin with only dirty laundry in their kit bag.

And for all those not even selected for the plane.

UNSUNG HERO: Jenny Meadows claimed bronze in the 800m - a performance that only those closest to her thought was really possible (Getty Images)

Elsewhere, Lisa Dobriskey underlined her championship credentials and still left room for improvement while the 4x400m relay men brought the curtain down in style.

Which brings us to the men’s sprint relay.

At my school, dobbers or tell tale twats, as they were also known, usually got what they deserved eventually.

I’m not surprised that Doug Logan, the head of US Track and Field, is seething and I can only pray that what goes around doesn’t come around – especially at London 2012.

NOT OUR FINEST HOUR: The fall out from this sprint relay heat could continue for some time (Getty Images)

However, clearly there is much to build on and the foundations don’t look as shaky as we feared.

It’s worth pointing out though that three of our medallists – Ennis, Idowu and Meadows – all benefit from one-on-one specialist coaching, how does that fit with your desire to put everyone into three high performance centres?

There is no doubt this is now your team and in a short space of time you have already stamped your mark.

I actually liked your predecessor Dave Collins but I like winning medals more.

Dobriskey told a story about a pep talk you gave her before her final.

She said you feared athletics was becoming a yesterday sport – and it was up to a few to change that view and make a difference.

Some of your charges clearly listened – and gave a glimpse of an even better tomorrow.

So congratulations, and sorry once again,

James

James Toney is the Managing Editor of national press agency Sportsbeat and covered his fourth World Athletics Championships in Berlin

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