Tom McNab
World Athletics is saddened to hear that former British national coach Tom McNab has died at the age of 92.
Born in Glasgow in December 1933, McNab trained as a physical education teacher. He competed in the triple jump and won five Scottish titles, but he went on to make a far greater impact on the sport through coaching, development and writing.
McNab played a significant role in reshaping the domestic structure of the sport. Following a fact-finding visit to Poland with fellow coach Tony Ward in 1966, McNab helped develop the concept of the British Athletics League in the late 1960s.
He developed a range of programmes intended to strengthen the pathway for young athletes. He established a national junior decathlon programme and later helped guide a young Daley Thompson towards the combined events, contributing to the early development of an athlete who would become a two-time Olympic decathlon champion.
McNab also served as a British Olympic team coach at the 1972 Games in Munich and the 1976 Games in Montreal. Decades later, he worked with Greg Rutherford during the early stages of the long jumper’s career. Their collaboration began in 2005, the year Rutherford became European U20 champion, seven years before he went on to win the Olympic title in London.
McNab’s extensive knowledge of athletics history led to him serving as an Olympic historian for the International Olympic Committee from 1976. He was also recruited as the technical director and athletics consultant for the film Chariots of Fire, training its actors and advising the filmmakers on the depiction of the sport. The film went on to win four Academy Awards, including best picture.
McNab was also a prolific author. His coaching books included Modern Schools Athletics, Triple Jump and Decathlon, while his technical and historical works included The Complete Book of Track & Field.
He also wrote several novels inspired by sport. His best-known work, Flanagan’s Run, told the story of a transcontinental foot race across the United States and became an international bestseller, translated into 16 languages. His other novels included Rings of Sand and The Fast Men.
Beyond athletics, McNab worked as a fitness adviser to England’s rugby union team, including during its run to the 1991 Rugby World Cup final, served as performance director for British bobsleigh, advised Chelsea Football Club and contributed to a review of amateur boxing.
“Tom was one of the sport’s most loyal friends and a man of many talents – a world-class coach, a great writer, historian, and conscience for athletics,” said World Athletics President Sebastian Coe. “He will of course be sadly missed but his legacy is unquestioned.”