12 July 2012

Bruce Longden – the coach who guided Sally Gunnell to Olympic and World titles in addition to the world 400m hurdles record died earlier this week.

Longden – who was inducted in to England Athletics’ Hall of Fame just last year, is known for guiding the early years of Daley Thompson before later achieving further coaching recognition through his work with Gunnell over firstly the 100m hurdles, before she moved up to the one lap event with remarkable success, winning the Olympic gold medal in 1992, and following that with World Gold and the world record in 1993

In 1977 he was appointed National Coach, a year after he began coaching Thompson. He continued to act as Head Coach to national teams up to 1984 when he then became Head Coach to the Norwegian Athletic Federation. He fulfilled this role for four years, but then returned to Britain to serve as a BAF National Coach from 1991 to 1997, his specialist areas being the combined events, hurdles and jumps.

UKA’s Head of Coaching and development, Kevin Tyler said:

“Longden’s work with two of Great Britain’s most successful athletes will forever be regarded as one of the greatest coaching achievements of all time.

“The coaching community has lost a true great but his achievements in guiding athletes to reach their full potential will act as an inspiration.”