UK Athletics performance director Dave Collins has defended his decision not to attend the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.

Collins was criticised for staying at home by Lord Coe, chairman of the 2012 London organising committee, as the home nations recorded their worst Commonwealth Games gold medal count in track and field for 56 years.

Coe said it was strange Collins opted to remain in England and also claimed some of the athletes were not fit for the purpose of taking part in a major championship.

But Collins, speaking on BBC Radio Five's Sportsweek programme, declared: "Seb Coe said a lot that I agree with but it was a judgement call as to whether going and sitting in the stands and watching a group of athletes that I've watched for the last five years would teach me more than I am able to do by working here.

"I made a judgement call with half of my staff out there watching the athletes, that there was enough to do here.

"I've watched the athletes perform at major championships for the last five years. But Seb is right, it is essential to watch them in the heat of the battle, but at the same time there is a lot needs doing.

"The things I need to do here are as important as watching those athletes in the short term.

"I am sure athletes there who have under-performed know and know they have got to do something about it."

Coe also claimed the top sprinters do not train enough together - particularly the relay teams - and Collins admitted it was "unacceptable".

"I accept what he says," said Collins. "It is certainly unacceptable.

"I don't think a lot of the problems have been due to people not knowing what they need to do and how they need to do it.

"The level of practice for these things needs to go up. We have made a provision to do that, it has worked in some parts and hasn't in others and that needs to change."