Liz McColgan has expressed her grief on Instagram over the loss of her husband.
The British Olympic long-distance running community and coaching fraternity are mourning the passing of John Nuttall, who died at 56 from a heart attack.
His spouse, Liz McColgan, world champion in the 10,000m in 1991, announced his death on Thursday. She described him as a dearly loved father, son, brother, and husband.
Nuttall, who won a bronze medal in the 5000m at the 1994 Commonwealth Games, also represented Great Britain in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
In an emotional Instagram post, McColgan shared, “Our hearts are shattering for everyone who adored John.”
Hannah Nuttall, John’s daughter and a noted British middle-distance runner, expressed her disbelief and profound sorrow at his sudden demise, praising his exceptional mentorship and guidance.
Eilish McColgan, Nuttall’s stepdaughter and current British women’s record holder in the 10,000m, shared her struggle to articulate her feelings on Instagram, stating, “We’re grappling with a monumental loss due to the unexpected passing of my stepfather John.”
She added that the family had been in Doha for the past six weeks with her mother and John, making his sudden death even more shocking. Eilish spoke of the immense love pouring in from Doha and the UK, highlighting the high regard many held for him. She lamented that his absence would be deeply felt.
Nuttall had a distinguished career, representing Great Britain at the World Championships in 1993 and 1995, and participating in the World Cross Country Championships five times.
Post-retirement, he became an endurance coach at UK Athletics, later joining the Aspire Academy in Qatar in 2013, where he worked with Liz, a 1988 Olympic silver medallist.
UK Athletics released a statement on Friday expressing their deep sorrow over Nuttall’s sudden demise. They acknowledged the profound impact of his loss on his colleagues and friends at UKA, extending their heartfelt condolences to his family and close friends.
The text then shifts to two unrelated topics:
- Greg Foot explores the effectiveness of motion sickness remedies through a personal experiment.
- A passenger shares their harrowing experience on a hijacked Nigerian Airways flight in 1993.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about John Nuttall Tribute
Who was John Nuttall?
John Nuttall was a former British Olympic long-distance runner and coach, known for his achievements in athletics, including winning a bronze medal in the 5000m at the 1994 Commonwealth Games and competing in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
How did John Nuttall pass away?
John Nuttall passed away at the age of 56 following a heart attack.
Who paid tribute to John Nuttall?
Tributes to John Nuttall were paid by his family, including his wife Liz McColgan, a world champion and Olympic medallist, his daughter Hannah Nuttall, a British middle-distance athlete, and his stepdaughter Eilish McColgan, the British women’s record holder in the 10,000m. UK Athletics also paid tribute to him.
What was John Nuttall’s role in athletics after his retirement?
After retiring from competitive running, John Nuttall worked as an endurance coach at UK Athletics and later joined the Aspire Academy in Qatar, contributing significantly to the field of athletics coaching.
More about John Nuttall Tribute
- Liz McColgan’s Instagram Tribute
- UK Athletics Official Statement
- Aspire Academy Website
- Profile of John Nuttall
- Commonwealth Games History
- 1996 Atlanta Olympics Overview
4 comments
Nuttall’s legacy in british athletics is huge, he’ll be missed by so many. his work at Aspire Academy was also groundbreaking.
Liz McColgan’s post really hit hard, can’t imagine what it’s like to lose someone so suddenly, he was a great coach and athlete.
oh man, such sad news about John Nuttall, he was a real inspiration in the running world. his family must be going through so much right now.
This is a huge loss for the sports community, Nuttall was a legend on and off the track. condolences to his family and friends.