Gardiner, a longtime coach and administrator, replaces Les Gramantik, who will take on a newly created role as head coach of Canada's High Performance Training Centre based in Calgary.

 

He said: "I am excited and privileged to be able to return to Athletics Canada.

 

"Never before in my 30-plus years in sport has there been this much opportunity and optimism fuelling our drive to the podium."

 

Gardiner has a long history with Athletics Canada.

 

He was its chief executive from 1994 to 1997, and director of technical programmes from 1992 to 1994.

 

Gardiner was also Athletics Canada's head coach for the 1991, 1993, and 2003 World Championships, as well as the 2004 Athens Olympics.

 

He left track and field in 2005 to become the senior technical director of Olympic programmes with the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC).

 

Gardiner said: "My time with the COC has been remarkable.

 

"I've had an unparalleled chance to work with some of the greatest coaches, scientists, medical staff, leaders and national sport federations in the world. It provided me with the unique opportunity to learn every day.

 

"I'm especially fortunate to have long time colleague Les Gramantik with our team to help guide us through the next phase of our growth."

 

Canada won only one medal in athletics at the Beijing Olympics earlier this year.

 

That was thanks to Priscilla Lopes-Schliep, who finished third in the 100 metres hurdles.

 

Joanne Mortimore, Athletics Canada chief executive, said: "Following the Beijing Games, the organisation reviewed the previous quadrennial

 

 

."The focus is to increase the current thrust of strong international results to ensure that the organisation continues down the path of achieving sustainable high performance results."