By David Martin, PA Sport
Colin Jackson has relinquished his role as coach of Great Britain’s Tim Benjamin - one of the world’s top 400metres runners.
The Welsh pair have split by mutual consent to end their partnership which started last September when Benjamin moved from Tony Lester’s stable of top sprinters in Windsor.
Jackson, who has subjected 25-year-old Benjamin to a tougher conditioning programme than he has ever undertaken before, insisted he understood the reasons for the break-up.
The former 110m hurdles world record holder said: "Tim is very determined to make an impression at next year’s Olympic Games and believes he is best sticking with the sort of training schedule he has undertaken in the past.
"I fully understand his reasoning and he did say if the World Championships weren’t on the horizon, and if it were European Championship year, he would have continued with me.
"It has been a pleasure to work with Tim and his decision has my full support. I wish him every success and believe he has the talent and ability to achieve at the highest level.
"Tim is an extraordinary talent and one who can make it to the top. I believe in him 100% and wish him well for the future.
“I am proud of my work with Tim and look forward to contributing to the development of British athletes.”
Benjamin, who announced the split on UK Athletics’ website, said: "After much consideration I have taken the difficult decision to leave Colin Jackson’s training group in Cardiff.
"I believe this is the right decision for me with Beijing just around the corner and the Olympics in London five years away.
“I want to take this opportunity to thank Colin for all he has done for me.”
UKA’s performance director Dave Collins said: "It is important for our senior athletes to try new things as part of their training and long-term development.
“We will now work with Tim to focus on getting him in the best possible shape for the rest of the season and to prepare him for the starting line in Beijing next year with the full and continuing support of UK Athletics.”
Benjamin missed last Sunday’s Norwich Union British Grand Prix in Sheffield with an ankle problem and has struggled with illness and injury since emerging as Europe’s top 400m runner in 2005.
Jackson said, however, he understood the he would be fit to compete at the Norwich Union GB trials in Manchester starting on July 27.
