- Nuttall worked alongside McColgan as a coach at the Doha Athletic Club in Qatar
- Former distance runner is the father of two GB runners, Hannah and Luke
- UK Athletics shared a statement noting their ‘deep sadness’ over Nuttall’s death
British Olympian John Nuttall, husband of Liz McColgan, has died aged 56 from a heart attack.
The former distance runner competed for Great Britain in the 5,000 meters in Atlanta 1996, as well as in the 1993 and 1995 World Championships. He won a bronze medal for England at the 1994 Commonwealth Games in Victoria.
After retiring, Nuttall became a successful elite coach, supporting British endurance runners to the 2012 London Olympics. Most recently he worked with his wife McColgan at the Doha Athletic Club in Qatar.
Former Scottish runner McColgan, the 1991 world 10,000 meter champion, announced the news of her husband’s death on social media on Friday.
She wrote: ‘It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that I write this. My husband John Nuttall died yesterday morning of a sudden heart attack.
Former British distance runner John Nuttall has died of a heart attack at the age of 56
After retiring, Nuttall became an elite coach and member of Team GB’s Olympic set-up
Most recently, Nuttall worked as a coach with his wife Liz McColgan in Qatar
‘A beloved father, son, brother and husband. To those who love John, our hearts are breaking.”
Nuttall was previously married to another former British distance runner, Alison Wyeth.
His two children from that marriage, Hannah Nuttall and Luke Nuttall, are both currently candidates for Great Britain.
Nuttall’s stepdaughter is Eilish McColgan, the Commonwealth 10,000m champion.
UK Athletics said in a statement: ‘Everyone at UKA is deeply saddened by the sudden passing of our former colleague John Nuttall.
“His loss is deeply felt by friends and colleagues here at UKA who worked together and knew John. Our thoughts are very much with his family and close friends at this time.”
Nuttall’s widow McColgan is a former Olympian and mother of British champion Eilish (left)
Nuttall’s two children Luke and Hannah are also athletes competing for Great Britain