TRAGEDY AS ATHLETICS CHIEF DIES AGED 60
Farah and Asher-Smith lead tributes to former UKA boss Neil Black
NEIL BLACK, the former performance director of UK Athletics, has died suddenly at the age of 60.
The news was confirmed in a statement from Black’s family. It is believed he was found at his home, where he lived alone, near Loughborough on Monday after missing an appointment at the weekend.
The statement read: ‘We would like to thank people for the wonderful and heartfelt messages we have received. So many people have been in touch, it is clear to us how loved Neil was and this is bringing us some comfort at this time.’
The tragedy comes six months after Black left his post at UKA in the wake of the Alberto Salazar scandal. He had served as performance director for seven years, taking over from Charles van Commenee following London 2012, and he previously spent two decades working as a physiotherapist with elite British athletes.
After becoming the performance chief of the British team, Black would go on to become a key mentor and physio to Sir Mo Farah, and retained his connection to the four- time Olympic champion following his exit from UKA in October.
A UKA statement read: ‘British Athletics is shocked and saddened to confirm the loss of our friend and former colleague Neil Black who passed away suddenly at the weekend. Neil loved athletics and dedicated his life to supporting athletes — as a worldclass physiotherapist, as head of sport science, and then in recent years as performance director for British Athletics.
‘Since leaving the role of UKA performance director in October 2019, he had been continuing to support a number of athletes and coaches as an adviser.
‘Neil will be hugely missed by those who knew and worked with him. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time.’
As a strong amateur athlete Black, a 4min 2sec miler at his best, once beat Seb Coe in a cross country race.
In his professional life, he was considered an excellent physio before taking on the top performance role with UKA, where he attracted criticism over his focus on medals and neglect of coaching structures.
His support of the disgraced American coach Salazar in the face of doping accusations in 2015 eventually contributed to his departure in the autumn, shortly after Britain had missed their medal target at the World Championships in Doha.
Tributes poured in from around the athletics world. Four-time Olympic gold medallist Farah said: ‘I have lost a good friend. I have known him since I was 14 years old. Neil supported me all the way through my career since I was a kid. My heart is broken.
‘I wouldn’t be where I am today without Neil Black, no one knew me like he did. We lost a great man.’
Sprint world champion Dina Asher-Smith said: ‘Incredibly sad and shocking news. I really can’t believe it. He was a genuinely lovely, caring and kind-hearted man whose sense of humour and positivity would light up a room. Rest in peace Neil, you’ll be dearly missed by all and my thoughts are with your family at this time.’
European 1500m gold medallist Laura Muir said: ‘Such sad, sad news to hear of the passing of Neil Black. He was always incredibly supportive and a lovely, caring man. Thoughts go out to his friends and family. RIP Neil, you will be sorely missed.’
Paula Radcliffe added: ‘Very saddened by the passing of Neil Black. A gentle, loyal, thoughtful and extremely hard-working man who quietly helped so many achieve their dreams. His satisfaction came from quietly watching those dreams unfold and standing true to himself. His legacy lives on in those dreams.’
Former UKA chairman Ed Warner said: ‘It was a great privilege to work with Neil, and to share the highs and lows of British teams. I’ll particularly treasure our celebratory clinch in the Olympic Stadium after the last session of the London 2017 World Championships.
‘He wanted to lead the British teams into Tokyo. I am certain there are British athletes who will win medals in Olympics and championships to come who will look back with enormous gratitude at the role Neil played in preparing them for success.’