|
Black stood down as performance director after
seven years in October when Britain managed only five medals at
the world championships in Doha, the lowest total since 2005.
He had also been considering his position after the U.S.
Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) handed down a four-year ban to
American coach Alberto Salazar, who was a consultant for UKA
until 2017 and had Black's support.
"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," UKA said in a statement.
"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."
Despite leaving the organisation in 2019, UKA said Black
continued to support many athletes and coaches as an advisor.
"He came everywhere with me and made sure I was held together
physically and mentally," British heptathlete and Olympic
medallist Kelly Sotherton said on Twitter.
"So many things I want to say... I'll miss you forever Neil
Black."
(Reporting by Rohith Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Christian
Radnedge)
[© 2020 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2020 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content.
 |
|
