By hannover-web.com Geoff Capes, a renowned figure in British athletics, passed away on October 23, 2024, at the age of 75. Known for his outstanding achievements in shot put and strength competitions, Capes won two Commonwealth titles and claimed the World’s Strongest Man title twice, in 1983 and 1985.
In a heartfelt family statement, his loved ones expressed their sadness, saying, “The family of Geoffrey Capes would like to announce his sad passing today, highlighting him as Britain’s finest shot-putter and twice World’s Strongest Man.”
Capes reached the pinnacle of his career during the 1970s, proudly representing Great Britain for over a decade and earning a record number of athletics caps for his country. Following his athletic career, he became a household name through the popular television program “Superstars,” which captivated audiences with 10 million viewers at its peak.
His athletic accomplishments included becoming the UK shot put champion three times and winning gold at the 1984 Commonwealth Games in Christchurch with an impressive throw of 20.74 meters. He successfully defended his title four years later in Edmonton, Canada. Additionally, Capes secured gold at the European indoor championships in Gothenburg and Munich in 1984 and 1986 and earned a bronze medal at the European championships in Rome in 1984.
Capes represented Great Britain in three Olympic Games, finishing sixth in Montreal in 1976 and fifth in Moscow in 1980, where he achieved his personal best throw of 21.68m—a record that still stands today.
Katharine Merry, a British Olympic medalist, shared her sorrow on social media, saying she was “so sad to hear the news that Geoff Capes passed away,” and remembered him as “a real household name.” British Athletics also issued a statement expressing their condolences to his family and friends during this difficult time.
Interestingly, Capes’ strength extended beyond athletics. He was recognized for his unique talent in breeding budgerigars. In a 2003 interview with The Guardian, he recounted how his passion for the birds began during his time as a policeman. While delivering a warrant, he stumbled upon a captivating array of colorful birds in someone’s home. “I went in and had a cup of tea with the owner, and spent an hour talking to him about his hobby. It was a shame that at the end of it I had to tell him I was arresting him,” he reminisced.
His journey into budgerigar breeding was surprisingly initiated when, after dealing with the arrest, the man gifted him three pairs of budgies. “I went and got everything I’d need – a shed, breeding units, an aviary – and I’ve been breeding the birds ever since,” Capes explained.
Born in 1949 in Lincolnshire as the seventh of nine children, Capes thrived in sports from a young age, representing his county in basketball, football, and cross country. Before embarking on his athletic career, he worked as a coalman and agricultural laborer, ultimately joining the police force. He dedicated a decade to the service before proudly competing for his country in the Moscow Olympics.
