Van Commenee's new era begins
They say first impressions last, and the new head coach of UK Athletics certainly leaves you in no doubt that he means business.
Interviewing Charles Van Commenee for the first time on Friday, he struck me as being from the same mould as Fabio Capello or Jose Mourinho - stylish, suntanned, and seriously determined.
Oh, and just a little bit stressed as well. He was like the proverbial swan, serene on the surface but pedalling like mad underneath, as a succession of injuries threatened to derail Britain's bid to win the inaugural European Team Championships here in Portugal.
It sees the men and women united in one team taking on the best in Europe under a new format.
As we spoke, 800m runner Jenny Meadows was in the hotel lobby in tears, ruled out by a hamstring injury.
Wearing dark glasses to cover her red eyes and clutching tissues given to her by a drug tester who had just taken a blood sample, she chatted to Steve Cram and you could see her mood lift as he gave her assurances that her season is far from over.
Meadows is not the only one with what athletes refer to as a "niggle". World silver medallist Nicola Sanders had already pulled out, and since arriving in Portugal sprinters Ashlee Nelson and Montell Douglas, and high jumper Stephanie Pywell, have joined the walking wounded, while Rikki Fifton is also a doubt in the men's 200m.
Little wonder that Van Commenee was a little sharp when faced with yet another question about Dwain Chambers.
It may be very hot here but Hannah England (a headline writer's dream?) did not hesitate in accepting the challenge of doubling up, replacing Meadows in the 800m, as well as running the 1500m on Sunday.
She was like a child on Christmas Eve at the prospect and bounced out of the room like Tigger. She's been working with Kelly Holmes and clearly some of her fighting spirit has rubbed off.
Christine Ohuruogu is someone who has faced a few battles in her career, but the Olympic champion was relaxed and in good form as she chatted before Friday's news conference.
Except she might struggle to be heard right now. She is a quiet soul anyway, but has virtually lost her voice after feeling a bit run down.
She was a tad embarrassed, particularly as she is team captain. It looks like the tub-thumping speech is on hold right now. She was at pains to point out that she's not ill, although she says people assume she must be with such a gravelly voice.
The event gets under way on Saturday afternoon. and stand by for one of the most unusual looking sports stadiums you're ever likely to see. It is colourful to say the least and looks like a child of five has been let loose with a paint pot.
The Estadio Municipal de Leiria is the home of the local football club and the place where a certain Mr Mourinho started his career en route to Porto and becoming the 'Special One'.
Who knows, Charles Van Commenee might be described in the same way one day. When asked what to expect from the British team this weekend, he fixed me with a stare and said "to win, of course".
That might be asking too much at this stage of the team's development on the road to 2012, but you sense a shift in attitude. This determined Dutchman has set a target of eight medals at the London Olympics, and it seems this is where it all starts.
(This article first appeared on Friday)
I'm 5 Live's athletics reporter and will be trackside with all the stories behind the scenes, the injuries and intrigue, the gossip and glory.
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