He said it was to spend more time with his wife Jane and their young family.

Jones joined the Federation in 1999 and was initially based at the Bath High Performance Centre, before moving to Swansea in 2003 to set up the Welsh Performance Centre with support from both British Triathlon and the Welsh Sports Council.

During his tenure, he coached four Olympians and his athletes also contributed eleven European Championship medals, four World Championship medals and one Commonwealth medal.

He said: “I have enjoyed every moment and opportunity to work with some of the best athletes in Great Britain.

"I am grateful for all the support in performance sport, coaches, support staff but most of all the athletes I have had the pleasure to coach and learn from.

“I have met some truly charismatic people that have dedicated their lives to the sport of triathlon and I also have the utmost respect and admiration for age group performers and volunteers that give so much to our sport.

I would also like to thank Heather Williams for her support and understanding and wish all the Great Britain performance team and athletes the very best of luck for the coming Olympic Games in 2008.”

Heather Williams, British Triathlon’s performance programme director said: “Chris is one of the pre-eminent coaches in the world of elite drafting triathlon, and his contribution to Britain's success over the last decade has been immense.

"I'm very sorry to lose Chris and the knowledge and experience that he possesses from our programme.

"I wish him the best of success in his future endeavours.”