ATHLETICS CANADA SACKS HEAD COACH

Peter Eriksson, pictured, has been fired as head coach and chief technical officer at Athletics Canada. Canada’s track and field team captured six medals at the Rio Olympics, and has seen the rise of young stars such as sprinter Andre De Grasse and Olympic high jump champion Derek Drouin. But there has been growing discontentment with the team’s leadership for months. “This decision was necessary to en- sure sustainable international success,” Rob Guy, Athletics Canada’s chief executive officer, said in a statement. The 64- year- old Eriksson was hired by Athletics Canada in August, 2013. He’s also been the high performance director for Speed Skating Canada, head coach of wheelchair racing in Canada and head track and field coach for the U. S. Paralympic Committee.