LIZ McColgan has led the way for paying tribute to her husband John Nuttall who’s passed away aged 56 from a tragic heart attack.
McColgan the 1991 10,000m World Champion stated Nuttall died on Thursday and described him as being a “much loved dad, son, brother and husband.”
Nuttall represented Great Britain at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics following his achievements at the 1994 Commonwealth games witnessing him pick up a Bronze medal.
McClogan explained;”For those that loved John our hearts are breaking.”
Nuttall’s daughter Hannah, a British middle-distance runner published on social media;”I cannot believe that this day has came so soon and unexpected and that you are no longer with us, my heart is completely broken.”
She stated that her fathers strength to;”help others and provide guidance was like no other”.
His stepdaughter Elish McClogan who holds the 10,000m British Womans record wrote on Instagram;”
It’s hard to find the words right now. Our family suffered a huge loss yesterday with the sudden passing of my stepfather John.
“We’ve spent the last six weeks here in Doha, with my mum and John, and so his passing has been a huge shock. We are still trying to process it.
“There is such a huge outpouring of love from both Doha and everyone back home in the UK. It just reinforces how many people thought so highly of him. He will be missed by us all.”
Nuttall competed for Great Britain during 1993 and 1995 and World Cross Country Championship five times.
After his retirement, he became an endurance coach at UK Athletic before moving to Aspire Academy in Qatar in 2013, working with Liz who was a silver medalist at the 1988 Olympics.
In response to his death UK Athletics commented;
Everyone at UKA is deeply saddened by the sudden passing of our former colleague John Nuttall.
“His loss is felt deeply by friends and colleagues here at UKA who worked alongside and knew John. Our thoughts are very much with his family and close friends at this time.”
