Nathan, who joined the organisation in 2013 having previously worked with UK Athletics, informed the body’s chief executive Phil Jones that he would not be seeking a contract extension.

Jones admitted he was "disappointed" at Nathan’s decision to step down from the role but described him as an "outstanding contributor to athletics in Australia".

A review into the high performance programme within Athletics Australia will now be conducted, with Nathan due to officially leave the position at the end of October.

"Although we are saddened by his decision, we wish him every success in the future," Jones said.

"The national athlete support structure and the outstanding team environment enjoyed by our athletes and their coaches at the recent Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games highlight the great work that Simon has delivered during his time with us.

"We are confident that athletics is headed in the right direction on the world stage and this is thanks, in no small part, to the efforts of Simon and his high performance team.”

The news comes after Australian track and field athletes won just two medals at last month’s Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

Jared Tallent, who recently received his London 2012 Olympic gold medal after it was stripped from Russia’s Sergey Kirdyapkin for doping, won the silver in the men’s 50 kilometres race walk.

Dane Bird-Smith took the bronze medal in the 20km event.

London 2012 100 metres hurdles champion Sally Pearson had been a pre-Rio 2016 gold medal hope for Australia but an injury sustained in the build-up ruled her out of competing.

"My time as high performance director has been both challenging and rewarding, and I am grateful to the athletes and coaches, as well as the broader network of the Australian Institute of Sport and state and territory institute and academies, for their support across the journey,” Nathan said.

"Athletics in Australia is headed in the right direction, with results at Rio 2016 highlighting that we are on an upward trajectory towards the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in 18-months’ time and Tokyo 2020.

"Our athletes, with the support of their coaches, are continuing to improve and I am confident of their ongoing development and success into the future.

"My decision to move on has not been taken lightly.

"I wish all involved with Australian athletics the very best in the years to come and believe that the sport will continue to thrive and succeed in the environment that we have worked hard to establish."