28th February 2016

Sport Bids Farewell To Tom McCook

28 February 2016

British Athletics is saddened by the loss of Birchfield stalwart Tom McCook, a former club chairman, president and long time supporter of all things athletics.

He was 69 and died from a heart attack last weekend.

Originally from Inverness, McCook moved to Birmingham and went on to become president of Birchfield and such was his popularity and impact on the sport he was given the prestigious Ron Pickering Memorial Award for Services to Athletics around a decade ago.

McCook was an ever-present at athletics events, especially at the Alexander Stadium, where he passed on his infectious enthusiasm for the sport with athletes, coaches, spectators and journalists.

McCook was part of the fabric of Birchfield Harriers – a club that has produced Olympians such as Denise Lewis, Ian Stewart and Katharine Merry.

Merry tweeted: “As vice-president of Birchfield and having known Tom for nearly 30 years, his enthusiasm for the club and athletics was never tested.”

With thanks to Athletics Weekly magazine for this report