Arbeit will help Lewis with her throwing technique and conditioning

Denise Lewis' coach Frank Dick has defended her decision to work with the man suspected of being behind the 1980s doping programme in East Germany.

Dr Ekkart Arbeit, the former head of the East German athletics team, is to help Olympic heptathlon champion Lewis with her throwing skills and conditioning work.

Arbeit has never stood trial on doping charges, despite evidence linking him to a state-sponsored programme.

Dick told the Guardian newspaper that Lewis' decision to link up with such a controversial figure was solely based on Arbeit's record as a coach.

"She needs the best advice available and to make sure she receives it I have decided to draw together the right sort of team," Dick said.

"I have decided to that Ekkart is the best person to work with me on throws and conditioning work to help Denise.

"I have read what has been written about Ekkart but I'm also aware he was cleared by the German courts.

"It is a matter of historical record what was going on in East Germany but I'm not in a position to judge all of those things."

Arbeit's name was found in secret police files following the collapse of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and evidence suggested he had been heavily involved in shaping doping policy in the country since 1968.

Arbeit never stood trial - because German law only allows for people administering drugs to be prosecuted. He has always denied any involvement in doping.

In 1997, Arbeit was initially employed as a coach to Athletics Australia until they decided not to go ahead with the appointment after a series of media reports referring to his controversial past.

And last year, Arbeit was dropped as coach to South Africa for the Commonwealth Games after negative press reaction.