England Athletics is greatly saddened to have heard of the death of coach and former sprinter Ayo Falola.
Ayo was a very popular and well respected figure who will be greatly missed.
Having enjoyed a career as a 100m and 200m specialist Ayo moved to coaching and was successful in his work with many international athletes. Among those he coached were Olympic 400m fourth-placer Donna Fraser and Danny Crates who won Paralympic gold at 800m.
When Danny was inducted into the England Athletics Hall of Fame he and Donna shared tales of their days training together leaving everyone present in no doubt of the combination of fun and hard work that came with being part of Ayo’s squad of athletes.
Recently another of Ayo’s athletes Shelayna Oskan-Clarke took fifth-place in the Beijing World Championships. He also coached Jo Fenn and Marilyn Okoro as well as former UK 100m record-holder Montell Douglas.
Our thoughts are with Ayo’s family and many friends at this time.
