Geoff Capes: 1949-2024 England Athletics

All at England Athletics are saddened to learn of the passing of former shot put British record holder, Hall of Fame inductee and World Strongest Man, Geoff Capes.

Beginning his journey in the sport as a runner, it was not until being coached by international high hurdler Stuart Storey that Geoff Capes had his throwing potential recognised. From aged 16, he began setting records and at age 19 he made his international debut where his trajectory sky rocketed from fourth place at the Commonwealth Games to taking the gold just four years later in 1974. Making a name for himself on the elite circuit, later that year he set a new European indoor record of 20.95m which he would later better to 20.98m before becoming only the sixth man in the world to throw 70 feet with a put of 21.37m.

His advance resumed in 1976. Indoors, he set his European record of 20.98m and regained the European title. Outdoors, he boosted his Commonwealth record to 21.55m and at the Montreal Olympics he had the third longest throw in the qualifying competition but in the final he could muster only 20.36m for sixth place.

It would be another four years before he would improve his best mark again. In the meantime, though, he collected more medals, including a second gold at the 1978 Commonwealth Games. In May 1980 he came up with his longest ever throw: a Commonwealth record of 21.68 which survived as the British record for 23 years. He went into the Moscow Olympics ranked second but a back injury hampered his chances and he placed fifth. His athletics career may have ended in frustration but Capes went on to become even better known to the general public by twice winning the televised World’s Strongest Man title as well as being one of the country’s foremost budgerigar breeders.

In 2018, Geoff Capes was recognised for his outstanding achievements to the sport as an inductee to our Hall of Fame. Geoff's shot putting legacy continued with his daughter Emma becoming ESAA champion and Youth Olympics bonze medallist. He has also dedicated a great deal of his time giving back to coaches and athletes. He has been a guest speaker on the England Athletics National Coach Development Programme, inspiring coaches across the country, as well as a competition provider with his Lincs Throws Academy creating inclusive and fun competitions for athletes to take part in.

More recently alongside his son, Lewis, he has nurtured his grandsons as outstanding throwers. Lawson is currently ranked first in the UK and 12th all time for the U17 men's shot put and Donovan has had great success on a national level and now competes in the US for Adams State.

CEO of England Athletics, Chris Jones, said:

"On behalf of all at England Athletics, we would like to share our deepest condolences with all of Geoff's family, friends and supporters, of which there were many worldwide. His impact on not only the throwing world but the wider track and field family was astounding, and his presence will be greatly missed. We were delighted to be able to recognise all of Geoff's outstanding achievements at our Hall of Fame and his legacy will continue to inspire and influence athletes of today, and the future."