The 45-year-old from Sussex, the 1988 Olympic 3,000 metres steeplechase bronze medallist, has been appointed as the new head coach Nike Oregon Track Club Elite (OTC) team.

 

The team is based in Eugene in Oregon and includes several of the United States' top runners, including three who qualified for the Olympics in Beijing.

 

Rowland, who left UK Athletics after Beijing, will take over for retiring Frank Gagliano, 71, who is moving back to the East Coast to be closer to family.

 

Rowland, a former training partner of Steve Ovett, has coached several of Britain's top middle-distance runners, including 2002 Commonwealth 1500m champion Michael East and 2003 World Championship 1500m bronze medallist Hayley Tullett.

 

He said: "This has been an amazing process, and with the help of Vin Lananna and Nike we've managed to create a phenomenal environment for the continued success of national and international calibre middle-distance and distance runners, men and women.

 

"I am very excited to be the newest member of the OTC and the newest resident of Track Town, USA."