The decision comes on the heels of what is described by Athletics Canada as its "largest and most thorough organisational review".

Canada won six medals in athletics at the Rio 2016 Olympics, the country’s best total since the nine won at Los Angeles 1932.

However, there has reportedly been growing discontent with the team’s leadership for months, with marathon runner Lanni Marchant telling CBC Sports that Eriksson had "unrealistic expectations" of the country's track and field athletes at Rio 2016 and lost sight of the fact that not all 65 would win a medal.

Rob Guy, chief executive of Athletics Canada, said the decision was necessary "to ensure sustainable international success".

"On behalf of Athletics Canada I would like to thank Peter for his dedication and contributions that helped Canada achieve international success," he added. 

"However, through the report it was felt that a change in leadership style was needed in the high performance area."

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.

Tasked by the Board of Directors, the Review Committee was then asked to use the results of the report to make recommendations to the Board.

"We talked to a lot of athletes and coaches out there," Guy, whom the high performance team will report to in the interim period, said in a conference call.

"Athletes and coaches are the key to everything.

"In a very decentralised sport like track and field where a lot our athletes are working on their own, they just need to feel good about themselves and feel really supported.

"Everybody has their style.

"Overall there was just a general feeling that a different style might be a little bit more appropriate.

"The results of the review confirm that people want to feel supported, they want to work with the federation in driving performance.

"I suppose a style that's perhaps a little more supportive and engaging with these athletes and coaches."

Although the decision was predominantly based on Eriksson's approach to the job, Guy says it was also taken with Athletics Canada's focus on the future, including the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, in mind.

"Yes it's about style, but it's also about continuing to win medals and continuing to have success," added Guy, who confirmed Athletics Canada will review its policies and procedures.

"Rio's over with - it's done.

"The athletes and their coaches in their daily training environment is really what drives this.

"We need to make sure we're providing the best possible support we can."

Eriksson was appointed head coach of Athletics Canada in July 2013 after leaving the same role for British Athletics.

The Swede guided Britain's Paralympians to third place at London 2012 having taken charge of the athletes in 2009.

Prior to that, Eriksson had made his name by guiding legendary Canadian wheelchair racer Chantal Petitclerc to 10 gold medals over two Paralympic Games.

Athletics Canada fired its head coach Alex Gardiner and chief high performance officer Martin Goulet following Canada's disappointing performance at London 2012, where Derek Drouin won the team's only medal - a bronze in high jump.

Drouin moved up to the top of the podium in Rio, claiming Canada’s sole athletics gold medal in a haul that also included one silver, for Andre De Grasse in the men’s 200 metres, and four bronzes.

The bronzes came courtesy of Brianne Theisen-Eaton in the women’s heptathlon, De Grasse in the men’s 100m, Damian Warner in men’s decathlon and the men’s 4x100m relay team.