Athletes pay tribute to Lloyd Cowan, athlete and athletics coach

Jane McGuire
·3-min read
Photo credit: Gary M. Prior - Getty Images
Photo credit: Gary M. Prior - Getty Images

From Runner's World

  • Former hurdler and athletics coach, Lloyd Cowan, has died aged 58.

  • Athletes have been paying their tributes to Cowan.

Before his successful career in coaching, Lloyd Cowan represented England in the 110m hurdles at the 1994 Commonwealth Games.

As a coach, Cowan worked with Christine Ohuruogu, who achieved a 400m Olympic Gold in 2008 and a silver in 2012. He also coached England’s Andy Turner, who went on to gain Commonwealth and European 110m hurdles titles in 2010, as well as his own son Dwayne, who won a 4x400m bronze at the 2017 World Championships.

In a statement, UK Athletics said, ‘A wonderful colleague, his warmth and friendship both on and off the training track made him one of the most successful, approachable and down to earth individuals involved with the sport. He brought the best out of many athletes over the years at all levels and was highly respected as a coach and mentor to many other coaches and performance staff who had the pleasure to know and work with him.

‘Rest in peace Lloyd, from all of your friends at UK Athletics. You will be deeply missed.’

Runners have been leaving tributes to Cowan on social media, with Andy Turner writing, ‘Heartbroken, absolutely heartbroken to hear that my coach Llyod Cowan has passed away. 12 good years with this man, I owe him everything. Gutted.’

Linford Christie tweeted, ‘The WORLD of TRACK lost another family member today, and it hurt more than I could have ever imagined. RIP Lloyd Cowan . The space you left cannot be filled. My condolences to all who knew and loved you’

Dame Jess Ennis-Hill wrote, ‘Absolutely gutted & so sad to read the news about Lloyd Cowan. I have so many great memories of spending time with Lloyd on training camps & at champs. He always believed in me and gave me some great advice &coaching tips along the way in the hurdles. Pure passion in what he did!’

Team GB athlete Bianca Williams said she ‘my heart is broken’, while double Olympic Gold medalist and President of World Athletics Seb Coe said the news was ‘a really sad start to the athletics year’.

Our thoughts are with Cowen's family and friends at this difficult time.

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