- Shot putter Geoff Capes tragically died on Wednesday at the age of 75
- Capes was twice crowned the world’s strongest man and was much loved
The sporting world has paid tribute to Geoff Capes after the legendary British athlete died on Wednesday at the age of 75.
Capes, who was twice crowned the world’s strongest man, was a British shot putter and ex-Olympian.
Standing 6ft tall and weighing 27 stone, Capes captured the hearts of millions of fans and admirers throughout his life as a British athlete, winning four gold medals at the Commonwealth Games and the European Indoor Championships.
Capes represented GB at three Olympic Games – Munich 1972, Montreal 1976 and Moscow 1980 – but his best finish was fifth in Moscow.
And following his death, several athletes shared heartfelt messages for the former shot putter.
The sporting world has paid tribute to Geoff Capes after the legendary athlete passed away
Capes, two-time world’s strongest man and British shot putter, died on Wednesday
Standing 6ft tall and weighing 27 stone, the ex-Olympian won the hearts of millions of fans and admirers throughout his life as a British athlete (pictured – lifting six women on a game show)
Retired British strongman Eddie ‘The Beast’ Hall, who won 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 sadly passed away today.
“Geoff was not only a two-time World’s Strongest Man and a record-breaking shot putter, but he was also a giant in heart and mind.
‘He paved the way for athletes like me and showed that British grit and determination could conquer the world.
“Geoff was an inspiration to 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 in peace, big man. You will always be remembered as one of the greatest. Great 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 public back to our sport. Fiercely independent, competitive, but always protective of the teams he captained with distinction.’
British Athletics also paid tribute, saying: “British Athletics is saddened by the news of the passing of former British shot putter Geoff Capes. Our condolences go out to his family and friends at this time.”
Team GB said: “Team GB is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Geoff Capes. A three-time Olympian and former Strongest Man in the World. Our condolences 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 start lifting weights.
“I declined, he wanted to armwrestle with me, but I introduced him to my friend Gary Mason, who was into armwrestling, and I left them to it!!”
Eddie Hall was one of many people to pay tribute to Capes, citing him as an ‘inspiration’
Several other individuals and organizations also shared heartfelt words for the shot putter
The death of Capes, who was known for his bizarre 12,000-calorie-a-day diet and later became known as a world-class bird breeder, 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, October 23. Britain’s best shot putter and twice the world’s strongest man.’
