Geoff Capes, beloved Olympian and World’s Strongest Man, dead at 75

Former Olympian and World’s Strongest Man Geoff Capes died Wednesday at the age of 75, his family said. 

A cause of death was not disclosed.

Capes, born in the England in 1949, was famous across his home country and beyond for his athletic prowess and for his gentle giant nature — as exemplified later in his life through a beloved hobby of breeding parakeets.

The seventh of nine children and a native of Holbeach, Lincolnshire, Capes made three Olympic appearances for team Britain in the shot put event between 1972-80. 

Capes’ top finish came in his final competition, at the 1980 games in Moscow, after sidestepping Britain’s call for a boycott. In his pursuit of a medal, Capes was forced to resign from his position on the police force, which he had held for 10 years. 

In the competition, Capes recorded a throw of 21.68 meters; though the mark only earned fifth place at the Games, it set a British record that remains to this day.

After retiring from Olympic competition, Capes twice won the World’s Strongest Man title— first in 1983, then again two years later in 1985. 

His athletic feats were also broadcast during his time as a star on the hugely popular British television program Superstars TV. 

The show featured Capes and other athletes competing against one another in events that they did not practice or play professionally. Capes placed second in the competition in 1977 behind English rower Tim Crooks.

Capes rode the fame throughout much of his career, often appearing on car advertisements, children’s television shows and BBC TV. He was known for his ability to rip London’s phone directories in half and bend three-foot steel bars. But also, for his love of budgerigars, more commonly known as parakeet. 

Capes developed an early fascination with the birds while growing up in and around the Lincolnshire fens. During his time as a police officer, he was once sent to investigate an assumed-fraudster and, looking through the man’s window, noticed a menagerie of the birds. 

“We sat down, had a cup of tea and had a lovely chat about budgerigars. I did eventually remember to arrest him,” Capes said, as reported by The Mirror. “But he was very good about it and started me off with my first three pairs of budgerigars. I’ve never looked back.”

Capes is survived by his children, Emma and Lewis.