Dick has held the honorary, unpaid post for two years, during which time he had helped develop sport in Scotland at grassroots and performance levels.

The departing chairman has just completed a strategy document for the organisation in which he proposed appointing a full-time director of coaching, an athlete and pathway talent manager and a performance programmes manager – all of which posts have still to be filled.

"It has been an honour to have been invited to chair the board of scottishathletics," Dick told the Herald.

"The challenge is to continue that progression as we approach the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

"As I pass on the baton, I wish our athletes at all levels every success as they benefit from their involvement in our great sport," said Dick.

Within the last year Laurier Primeau has departed from the position as national coach, as has his interim successor, Steve Rippon (pictured).

Dick told the Herald newspaper that he was resigning because it was becoming increasingly impractical for him to carry out the job, which is honorary and unpaid, from his home in London.

He added: "Probably I belong to another era, and it's important the sport is given something positive to move on.

"I don't want the sport to bruise more than it has.

"It's the right decision for everybody.

"There are all sorts of pressures in my life and for scottishathletics.

"They need somebody there in a greater presence.

"I like to be involved, but could not be involved at that distance."

Dick was the British Athletics Federation's director of coaching from 1979 to 1994.

He has also coached German tennis star Boris Becker, German figure skater Katarina Witt (pictured), English golfer Justin Rose and Austrian racing driver Gerhard Berger and is now a motivational speaker.

"Some great kids at the moment around Scotland will be in with more of a shout than people thought come [Glasgow] 2014, and some really good news coming on performance," said Dick.

"These are stories for the future.

"I am a story of the past.

"Appointments will be made in the near future, which is great.

"And every good wish to my successor."

Nigel Holl, scottishathletics chief executive, told the Herald that there was no question of Dick – who had received some criticism over his relationship with the past two head coaches – having been manoeuvred out.

"Not at all," he said.

"We are making very good progress with the appointment of the performance team and Frank has been central in both the design of the new structure and the interviews we have held.

"His input has been pivotal.

"There is no crisis.

"I think he has helped get us into a much stronger position.

"We are very grateful and are sorry he has stepped down."

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