Geoff Capes useless at 75: Legendary British shot putter hailed as an ‘inspiration’ and ‘a large in coronary heart and spirit’ – as sporting world pays tribute
The sporting world has paid tribute to Geoff Capes after the legendary British athlete passed away at the age of 75 on Wednesday.
Capes, who was twice crowned as the World’s Strongest Man, was a British shot putter and ex-Olympian.
Standing at 6ft 5′ and weighing 27 stone, Capes won the hearts of millions of fans and admirers throughout his life as a GB athlete, where he picked up four gold medals across the Commonwealth Games and European Indoor Championships.
Capes represented GB at three Olympics – Munich 1972, Montreal 1976 and Moscow 1980 – but his best result was a fifth place finish in Moscow.
And, following his death, several athletes shared heartfelt messages for the former shot-putter.
The world of sport has paid tribute to Geoff Capes after the legendary athlete passed away
Capes, a two-time world’s strongest man and British shot-putter, passed away on Wednesday
Standing at 6ft 5′ and weighing 27 stone the ex-Olympian won the hearts of millions of fans and admirers throughout his life as a GB athlete (Pictured – lifting six women on a gameshow)
Retired British strongman Eddie ‘The Beast’ Hall, who won the World’s Strongest Man in 2017, posted a photo of the pair on Instagram and said: ‘One of the true legends of strength – Geoff Capes has sadly passed away today.
‘Not only was Geoff a two-time World’s Strongest Man and a record-breaking shot putter, but he was also a giant in heart and spirit.
‘He paved the way for athletes like me, showing that British grit and determination could conquer the world.
‘Geoff was an inspiration to so many of us growing up, a man whose incredible achievements and character left a lasting mark on the strength community.
‘His legacy will continue to inspire the next generation of strongmen and athletes around the world.
‘Rest easy, big man. You’ll always be remembered as one of the greatest. Big Love, The Beast.’
World Athletics President Lord Sebastian Coe added: ‘Geoff’s passing is a sad moment for so many of us in both British and global athletics.
‘He was a huge figure in British athletics and brought the crowds back to our sport. Fiercely independent, competitive, but always protective of the teams that he captained with distinction.’
British Athletics also paid tribute as they said: ‘British Athletics are saddened to hear the news of former British shot putter, Geoff Capes’ passing. Our condolences go out to his family and friends at this time.’
Team GB said: ‘Team GB are deeply saddened to hear about Geoff Capes’ passing. A three-time Olympian and former World’s Strongest Man. Our sympathies go out to his family and friends at this time.’
Former boxer Frank Bruno also shared some words for Capes as he said: ‘RIP Geoff Capes we met a number of times he kept asking me if I wanted to get into weight lifting.
‘I declined, he wanted to arm wrestle with me but I introduced him to my pal Gary Mason who loved arm wrestling and left them to to it!!’
Eddie Hall was one of several people to pay tribute to Capes, hailing him as an ‘inspiration’
Several other individuals and organisations also shared heartfelt words for the shot putter
The death of Capes, who was known for his bizarre 12,000 calories-a-day diet and later became renowned as a world-class breeder of birds, was announced by his family in a short statement on Wednesday.
It read: ‘The family of Geoffrey Capes would like to announce his sad passing today, 23rd October. Britain’s finest shot-putter and twice world’s strongest man.’
