“In the end I was quite pleased,” said Van Commenee of the row. “When some people have different agendas, that’s not something I could help.
“In the end it worked out really well because it brought the team together. We had great team bonding, and that was maybe also a result of negative forces around us.”
Van Commenee also insisted that his ongoing dispute with former world triple jump champion Phillips Idowu is “not a problem”.
Last July he heavily criticised Idowu in a BBC interview, accusing him of using Twitter to announce his withdrawal from the European Team Championships.
A furious Idowu demanded a public apology that has never been forthcoming. When I talked to him earlier this year, Idowu admitted he could not remember the last time the pair had spoken.
“He’s coached by his own coach, whom I speak to weekly, and meet very regularly,” said Van Commenee.
“So the coach, and the medical team, are all directed by me, and they keep me updated, and we talk about progress and plans.
“The last time I spoke to him [Idowu] was around the Twitter affair, or just before actually. The lines of communication are open at this end. That remains.
“I offered my hand, and it’s there. Most important is that he’s got a good team around him, and that’s the case, and they work under the guidance of UK Athletics.”
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