Wales' Commonwealth Games shot put bronze medallist and Olympian Shaun Pickering has died aged 61.
Pickering won bronze at the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur, having competed at both the Atlanta Olympics in 1996 and World Championships in Athens in 1997. He went on to become UK Athletics' national event coach for heavy throws.
"Our thoughts are with Shaun's friends and family at this sad time," Welsh Athletics said. "Everyone at Welsh Athletics is sad to hear the news that 'Hall of Fame' inductee, multiple Welsh Champion and record holder Shaun Pickering has passed away."
With a best of 20.45m in 1997, his shot best still stands as the Welsh record and it places him No.6 on the UK all-time rankings. Born in Griffithstown, Pontypool, he was also a fine discus and hammer thrower with bests of 54.38m and 68.64m – the latter being a Welsh record at the time – and impressively won a hat-trick of throws titles at the Welsh Championships a total of three times.
His father was the late BBC commentator and presenter Ron Pickering, who as Wales' national coach coached Lynn Davies when he won Olympic long jump gold in 1964.
His mother Jean represented Great Britain at the 1952 Olympics in Helsinki and won gold in the long jump at the 1954 European Championships.
As well as his own sporting achievements, Pickering will also be remembered for his and his sister Kim's efforts to boost the health of British athletics, most notably the nation’s up-and-coming young athletes through the Ron Pickering Memorial Fund.
Ron Pickering died unexpectedly in 1991 aged 60, and Jean died in 2013.
Athletics Weekly reports that the RPMF has given more than £2million to talented young athletes over the past 32 years, mostly via annual grants. Around two thirds of British athletes in teams for recent major championships have been helped by the charity at some stage and, among other things, it helped Mo Farah buy his first pair of running spikes at a time when football boots were probably more tempting.
The RPMF said on social media: "It is with deep sadness that we learned of the passing today of our beloved Shaun Pickering. Shaun did so much for athletics and to carry on the amazing legacy of his parents Ron and Jean. All our hearts go out to Shaun’s family and friends at this dreadfully sad time.”
Lynn Davies, 1964 Olympic long jump champion who was coached by Ron, said: "[My wife] Meriel and I are distraught with this very sad news. We have lost a very close friend, who was almost one of our family. We have always been very close to the Pickering family since I met Ron and Jean Pickering when they first came to Wales. Shaun was a proud Welsh athlete and a passionate coach and supporter of athletics in this country, just like his dad before him. Shaun was a big man with a big heart. We will miss him dearly.”
US sprinter and Olympic champion Michael Johnson said on Twitter: "Great man! Very sad indeed."
Former British hurdler and double world champion Colin Jackson said: "Such said news RIP".
British Athletics said: "Everyone at @BritAthletics is so saddened to hear this news today. Shaun loved the sport passionately and cared deeply for athletes and his many friends across the sport. His work to continue the success of @RunforRon Fund supported so many athletes."
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