by Geoff Capes, twice the strongest man in the world and an Olympian triple, died at the age of 75, British athletics announced.
The Lincolnshire’s original athlete won the Commonwealth Gold shot in 1974 and 1978 and was crowned the strongest in the world in 1983 and 1985.
He established the British record with a throw of 21.68 million in 1980, which remains the best ever ratified, and also had success at the European athletics championships in the decade before, affirming two gold medals, three Argent and a bronze.
A declaration of British athletics said: “British athletics is saddened to learn the news of the old British shooting putter, the death of Geoff Capes.
“Our condolences go to his family and friends for the moment.”
A declaration by the Capes family said: “Geoffrey Capes’ family would like to announce their sad death today, October 23.
“The best shot in Britain and the strongest man in the world twice.”
The former police officer also won bronze at the Challe du World Strongman 1987 in Tokyo, 10 years after claiming bronze from the European Athletics Championships in the open air.
British athletics is saddened to hear the news of the old British shooting putter, the death of Geoff Cape.
Our condolences go to his family and friends at the moment. pic.twitter.com/ivgwq4x4ba
– British athletics (@bitathletics) October 23, 2024
He represented Great Britain at the 1972, 1976 and 1980 summer Olympic Games, reaching his best result, a fifth place, in his last games in Moscow.
Carl Myerscough then later launched that the British Cape Record in June 2003, 21.92 meters, but his performance was not ratified.
A declaration by the GB team said: “The GB team is deeply saddened to hear about the death of Geoff Cape.
“An Olympian triple and a strongest former man in the world. Our sympathies go to his family and friends at the moment. »»
The president of world athletics, Lord Coe, said on X: “Geoff’s death is a sad moment for so many of us in British and world athletics.
“He was a huge figure in British athletics and brought the crowd back to our sport. Forter independent, competitive, but still protective of the teams he has capitalized with distinction.
“I send my sincere condolences to the friends of Geoff, the family, former teammates and everything that has had the privilege of knowing it.”
