Athletics Canada, the nation’s governing body for track and field, has relieved head coach Peter Eriksson of his duties on Friday. The 64-year-old assumed the head coach position at Athletics Canada in August 2013. He worked for U.K. Athletics prior to accepting a role with Athletics Canada.

Athletics Canada today announced changes to its high performance structure, relieving Peter Eriksson, Chief Technical Officer and Head Coach, of his duties. The decision comes on the heels of Athletics Canada’s largest and most thorough organizational review.

The review included both an anonymous online survey and more than 120 in person or over the phone interviews with staff, provincial branch members, athletes, coaches, sponsors and other stakeholders. The review committee, tasked by the Board of Directors, was asked to use the results of the report to make recommendations to the Board.

“This decision was necessary to ensure sustainable international success,” said Rob Guy, Athletics Canada’s Chief Executive Officer. “On behalf of Athletics Canada I would like to thank Peter for his dedication and contributions that helped Canada achieve international success. However, through the report it was felt that a change in leadership style was needed in the high performance area.”

"We just felt it was a different type of leadership style that we needed in order to improve our performance" – AC on Peter Eriksson — CanadianRunning (@CanadianRunning) December 9, 2016

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In the interim, the high performance team will report to the CEO. Added Guy, “We want to talk to the team that’s in place and evaluate what type of role is needed to oversee the high performance program and to build upon our success. Overall, the high performance plan does not change. We will however review policies and procedures.”

Eriksson’s Work With Athletics Canada

Eriksson headed both the Olympic and Paralympic programs during his time with Athletics Canada. Eriksson became head coach just prior to the 2013 IAAF World Championships in Athletics, held in Moscow.

Sources have told Canadian Running that Eriksson was seen as “difficult” and that he wasn’t focused enough on athletic development. Rather, his mandate was to deliver medals. At the Rio 2016 Olympics, Canada had its highest medal count in athletics since 1932 finishing with six podium finishes. Canada won a single medal, a bronze, in athletics at the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

RELATED: Why I can’t sacrifice a payday to run for my country in 2017.

“The only word I have is outstanding, the whole team performed well, above expectations we had coming in,” Eriksson said after the 2016 Olympic Games. “There are so many performances to outline, I look at it as an overall great performance. Now we need to think about what we to get better, that will be part of the plan going forward to 2020 and 2024.”

Team Canada also had a strong showing at the 2015 IAAF World Championships winning eight medals including two gold, three silver and three bronze. That event was held in Beijing.

At the time of his initial hiring, Eriksson said his plan was “Strong performance management of our best medal prospects to maximize the likelihood of podium performances at the Olympic and Paralympic Games as well as World Championships.”

Controversial Decision Making

But despite a high medal count and strong performances at international competition, Eriksson has been seen as a controversial figure at Athletics Canada– both by elite athletes and by fans of the running scene.

It should be noted that the role is in large about management versus just coaching. Eriksson took a lot of heat about recent moves regarding athlete funding distribution and a decision around the Olympic focus for one of Canada’s most favoured distance athletes.

"We need to make sure we’re providing the best possible support we can to our podium potential athletes."- AC on letting Eriksson go. — CanadianRunning (@CanadianRunning) December 9, 2016

Athletics Canada was in the news in June 2016 after it was hinted that Lanni Marchant, the Canadian record holder in the women’s marathon, would not be able to double in the 10,000m and marathon in Rio even though she met criteria for both. She was later cleared to compete in both events however for a period, she had to continue her training while being uncertain about what would be on the docket for Rio 2016. While at the time, Eriksson declined to comment, Marchant voiced her concerns. “It’s just frustrating,” she said. “What’s the point of a selection criteria if they aren’t going to be followed?”

More recently, Athletics Canada announced the athletes who will receive funding for 2017. That decision caused major disappointment of some of the nation’s long-distance runners. Distance and middle-distance running is not a money-making sport in this country– despite showing up and performing well in top-level competition.

See athlete reaction and additional comments from Athletics Canada’s CEO here.