Campbell appointed British Athletics sprints head alongside Benjamin

Former Olympic champion Darren Campbell has joined British Athletics as head of short sprints and relays.

Campbell was one of Britain’s most successful sprinters of the last few decades, winning Olympic gold in 2004 as part of the 4x100 metres relay team and individual silver in the 200m four years earlier.

The 47-year-old will work alongside former 400m runner Tim Benjamin, who has beenappointedasheadoflong sprints and relays.

Campbell and Benjamin both competed with Christian Malcolm, the head coach of Britain’sOlympicprogramme, who said: “These are great appointments for the sport.

“Darren and Tim bring a wealth of experience to the rolesfollowingtheirsuccessful careers in and out of the sport. I am pleased to bring them into the team as we continue to support athletes and coaches to achieve their goals during 2021 and beyond.”

Campbell has remained a familiar face and voice around athletics since retiring in 2006 through his media work, and he said: “I’m really pleased to accept this role and work with Tim, Christian and (performance director) Sara (Symington).

“I felt like it was the right time to get involved with the sport again. I’m excited by the newleadershipandthenewdirectionit’sheadedinbyputting the athlete first.

“When I was competing, I don’t feel we always got what weneeded,andsupportwasn’t offered properly. I know I can bringthatexperienceandhelp to ensure athletes have what they need to be successful.”

*British Athletics chief Christian Malcolm has urged his team’s stars to heed the example of Keely Hodgkinson andshow“nofear”astheybuild towards the delayed Olympics in Tokyo later this year.

The 19-year-old capped her senior international debut by stormingtovictoryinthewomen’s 800 metres at the European Indoor Championships in Torun at the weekend.

Tokyo is likely to come too soon for Hodgkinson to make animpressionherselfbutMalcolm, believes the manner of

Britain’s 12-medal haul in Torun bodes well for the future.

Malcolm said: “I never put expectations on medals, the athletes drove an attitude of being able to step up to competition and be fearless. I think that’s the key, be fearless. Go out there and don’t be scared. You have to be fearless in competitions. It’s not about being scared of what your opponentswilldo,it’stryingtofocus on what you can do.”