Some pundits and former athletes have called for the rule, which state that participants must be disqualified after just one false start and dramatically snared the likes of Usain Bolt, Christine Ohuruogu and Dwain Chambers in Daegu, to be changed before next year's games.

But van Commenee says professional athletes should be experienced enough not to jump the gun.

"Don't change it, athletes have to be disciplined and just wait for the gun," the Dutchman told BBC Sportsweek.

"Simple rule – you and I can do it so trained athletes should be able to as well."

Van Commenee correctly predicted seven British medals at the World Championships but declined to say whether the seven were the ones he had anticipated.

"I never put name tags to them," he said.

"I don't do that game."

"The Championships showed how difficult winning is.

"Some athletes got medals around the neck before the gun even went.

"Lots of favourites didn't win."

Two of those were gold medal hopes Phillips Idowu and Jessica Ennis who failed to meet expectations and van Commenee (pictured right with 1500 metres silver medallist Hannah England) admitted he was ready to make peace with Idowu after a well-reported fallout between the pair.

"It's been well documented that communication is not what it should be," he said of his relationship with the triple-jumper who lost his world title in Daegu.

"That's the reality.

"Lines of communication are open at this end.

"[But] he jumped really well. In this situation

"I'm not eager to receive Christmas cards.

"I'd rather see medals."

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