Neil Black death: Former UK Athletics performance director dies, aged 60

Long-serving athletics figure died suddenly at the weekend, six months after resigning as the UK Athletics performance director

Former UK Athletics performance director and Mo Farah’s former trainer Neil Black has died six months after leaving the role, aged 60.

A statement from UK Athletics confirmed that Black, who resigned from his role last October, died suddenly at the weekend of what is understood to have been of natural causes, and an autopsy will be carried out to determine the cause of death.

The 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 the sport of athletics and dedicated his life to supporting athletes – as a world class 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 advisor.

“Neil will be hugely missed by those that knew and worked with him. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time.”

Black left his role in October after seven years in charge, having taken the position following the London 2012 Olympics. He had continued to play a role with UKA as an advisor, having gained vast experience at the top of the sport.

A statement from his family added: “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.”

Black was appointed as UKA performance director following the departure of Charles van Commenee as Olympic head coach, having moved up the ranks at the governing body from the initial role of physiotherapist.

Black was at the helm as Team GB recorded their second-best medal haul at Rio 2016, with inly the 1908 London Games seeing Britain claim more than the 67 claimed in Brazil – which was two more than the Londo 2012 haul and featured 27 golds, 23 silvers and 17 bronzes.

But Black stepped down following a disappointing showing at last year’s World Athletics Championships in Doha where Britain secured just five gold medals and his resignation came amid growing controversy surrounding his support for banned US coach Alberto Salazar, the former coach of Sir Mo Farah who has been suspended from athletics for four years following doping violations.

Salazar was found by the United States Anti-Doping Agency to have committed offences that included trafficking testosterone, tampering with the doping control process and administering improper infusions of L-carnitine, a naturally occurring substance that converts fat into energy, which the BBC revealed in March had been given to Farah before the 2014 London Marathon.

Black trained Farah to his four Olympic gold medals (Reuters)

Black coached Farah from 2011 until 2017 while he trained at the Salazar-run Nike Oregon Project, during which he won four Olympic gold medals and six World Championship titles across the 5,000m and 10,0000m.

Former sprinter Katharine Merry, who won bronze in the 400m at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, tweeted: “What sad news to wake up to. The passing of Neil Black is truly a shock to the world of athletics and to all that knew him for so long… Blimey ... I can’t believe it.”

Tributes were immediately paid to Black from several British athletes, with the former UKA boss described as a man who dedicated his life and passion to the sport after achieving his “dream job”.

Three-time Olympic bronze medallist Kelly Sotherton said: “He came everywhere with me and made sure I was held together physically and mentally. So many things I want to say... I’ll miss you forever Neil Black.”

Black resigned after the 2019 World Athletics Championships (Getty) (Getty Images)

Former sprinter Katharine Merry, who won bronze in the 400m at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, tweeted: “What sad news to wake up to. The passing of Neil Black is truly a shock to the world of athletics and to all that knew him for so long… Blimey ... I can’t believe it.”

Three-time Paralympic club and discus champion and six-time medallist Stephen Miller added: “Just reading the sad news about Neil Black. I’m shocked. I knew Neil for many years and we had some good conversations. Whatever you think of his decisions, he loved athletics, it was his passion and being PD (performance director) was his dream job. Thoughts are with his family #RIP.”