Malcolm Arnold
Athletics has enjoyed a double delight in today’s Queen Birthday Honours List with two individuals receiving honours for services to the sport.
UKA Chair Ed Warner and UKA’s National Event Coach for hurdles Malcolm Arnold – coach to World 400m hurdles champion Dai Greene – have both been awarded OBEs in recognition of their dedication to the sport.
Warner, who was appointed at the end of 2006 has overseen a period of change and restructure in the sport, including successfully leading the bid to bring the 2017 World Championships to London.
He said of his honour:
“I am honoured to have been recognised in this way. Working in the sport I love is an absolute privilege and to have been awarded an OBE for that is thrilling.
“Of course there have been numerous moments of pride over the last five years, from seeing our athletes blossom on the international stage to winning the right to host the 2017 World Athletics Championships. But securing the long term legacy of the Olympic Stadium was the most important for the future of our sport.
“There are not enough honours to recognise the thousands of volunteers and coaches who are the lifeblood of our sport so I would like to pay tribute to them all and thank them for their contribution.
“However I am also delighted to see that Malcolm Arnold, undoubtedly one of the greatest ever athletics coaches has also been honoured in the Queen’s birthday list. It is truly deserved and I’d like to pass on my congratulations to Malcolm and his family.”
Arnold, who was also coach to sprint hurdler Colin Jackson over his illustrious career as well as Olympic Gold medallist Jason Gardener, commented:
“It’s so surprising, a real honour isn’t it – you just plod on and do your thing. It’s pleasing but you never really think about these things or expect them from doing your job and I’ve enjoyed doing mine.
“If I was to pinpoint things to be thankful for in light of this; when I started off my career I had a good PT and Coaching Education at Loughborough which really set me up. I’ve been lucky to meet and work with so many outstanding people and athletes who’ve helped to further my coach education and I have enjoyed my time in the sport immensely.
“I think my wife and children have been more excited than me! It’s so important to have family support – I think a lot of coaches end up divorced because of the lifestyle, and I’m so lucky to have had tremendous support from my wife Madelyn and our children over the years.
