We’re going for the gold!
Christian Malcolm made history with UK Athletics after being appointed as their new Olympics head coach. He is the first Black person ever to hold the title, The Guardian reports.
Malcolm is a former world, European, and Commonwealth Games medalist who competed in two Olympics before retiring in 2014. The two-time Olympian will join Athletics Australia as the head Olympics coach to revive the struggling organization. While Malcolm is widely beloved, this is his first time coaching at this level. Britains world champions Dina Asher-Smith and Katarina Johnson-Thompson, have praised the decision and hope that the 41-year-old will use his experience as an athlete to usher in a new era for the organization.
“He’s going to do a good job. He’s not too disconnected from being an athlete, so he’s going to have the athletes in mind when he makes decisions, and that’s definitely what’s needed. He’s such a nice fella,” Johnson-Thompson said.
Malcolm said he plans to give his all to the role and is excited to fulfill a dream that he always had for himself. “As an athlete, I knew I wanted to give back to the sport when I finished competing. In all my coaching and advisory roles so far, I have wanted to help athletes avoid the errors I made and support them and their coaches to get the best out of themselves. Words can’t describe how excited I am to have the opportunity to take this role on and be part of a new start for British Athletics,” he said.
Congratulations Christian!
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