Former Team Solent athletics coach dies aged 88

The coach who trained Olympic athletes, including Roger Black and Kriss Akabusi, has died.

Former Team Solent coach Mike Smith died earlier this week after a short illness, aged 88.

Southampton-based Smith coached Black – who grew up in Alverstoke, Gosport and was part of Team Solent – and was renowned for his work training up-and-coming athletics stars in a career spanning five decades.

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Smith also coached Locks Heath-based Akabusi as well as Iwan Thomas, Donna Hartley and Todd Bennett.

Paying tribute on Twitter, Akabusi posted: ‘Mike you made it, say hi to Todd & Donna for us, cya when I get there, won’t be long & we’ll have one big tear up.’