And he also launched a scathing attack on Coe's involvement in the sport.

"I am not aware of Seb Coe coaching any potential Olympic champions. However, I understand he is helping the sport by sitting on the board of a company who profit from athletics," said Christie.

"As far as his comments are concerned relating to my role as British team captain, I feel that this is something that members of the team at the time should be left to comment on.

"During every major championships when I stayed in the village with the rest of the team, I did not see Seb.

"I believe he preferred the luxury of nearby hotels and am therefore surprised that he feels in a position to comment on my captaincy."

Coe had rounded on the former British captain following Christie's own earlier outburst in which he labelled the sport "corrupt" in a magazine interview.

In an unprecedented attack in his column in the Daily Telegraph, Coe springs to the defence of the sport and those who run it.

Christie had hit out at British athletics chiefs in his magazine interview, labelling them so "corrupt" that he did not want his children to follow in his footsteps.

But in a hard-hitting retort Coe, who competed in the same British team as Christie for six years, claims Christie should take a long hard look at himself before casting aspersions.

Christie defended his magazine comments: "My comment regarding corruption in the sport was directly aimed at the IAAF and is based on personal experience.

"I love the sport of athletics and am passionate about it, which is why I am attempting to put something back through coaching."