"It is very important for a country with such a great tradition in athletics to have its own stadium where it can host major international events," said van Commenee, who was visiting the Lee Valley Athletics Centre which is about to get a six-month re-vamp that will bring it up the the standard of the world’s finest training facilities. 

"There’s hardly any other country in the world where athletics is as strong as it is in Britain that doesn’t have a serious stadium to host big events.

"For me that’s a good enough reason already.

"You see places like Martinique and Qatar which have stadiums capable of holding World Championships.

"Martinique, even.

"And we couldn’t do it in Britain?

"Joke.

"For me it’s little discussion.”

He added that bidding for the 2015 World Athletics Championships would give British athletes an ideal target to aim for after the home Olympics.

"If they are feeling a dip afterwards, there’s something else to go for, another home championship," he said.

"It will keep the sport at the standard we want to reach."

Van Commenee took the opportunity to clarify his position following last weekend’s World Indoor Championships in Doha, where he was reported to have been disappointed with British efforts.

"I did say that there were a few athletes who had an opportunity which they didn’t take, and that was disappointing.

"But I wasn’t expecting anything from these athletes.

"I expected four medals, and exactly the four medals I was expecting, we got.

"That is very good news, because all those who were supposed to deliver did deliver."

Van Commenee added that the newly refurbished venue at Lee Valley would serve a a vital meeting point for coaches and athletes during the London 2012 Games.

"Accreditation for coaches is limited at the Olympics, but we have a base here where they will be able to meet with their athletes," van Commenee said.

"Many of the British athletes who will be involved with the Olympics are here already.

"More and more athletes are moving here  because they feel they want to be a part of something which will help them reach their full potential."

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