- Former BBC Sport commentator Paul Dickenson died at the age of 74 on Tuesday
- He covered every Summer and Winter Olympic Games between 1992 and 2014
- Dickenson was an Olympic athlete for Great Britain before taking up commentary
Former BBC Sport commentator Paul Dickenson has died aged 74.
Dickenson, who specialised in athletics and covered every Summer and Winter Olympic Games between 1992 and 2014, passed away at his home on Tuesday.
The Northumberland-born commentator, who also voiced the BBC’s coverage of the World’s Strongest Man for over a decade, was an English athlete before taking to the microphone, competing in the hammer throw at both the 1976 Olympics in Montreal and 1980 Games in Moscow.
Dickenson, whose final commentary for BBC Sport came when Lizzy Yarnold claimed her skeleton gold medal at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, also voiced Jessica Ennis-Hill’s iconic heptathlon gold at London 2012.
His death, which was confirmed by the BBC on Wednesday evening, prompted several fans to pen heartfelt tributes the ‘legendary’ commentator on social media.
‘Just seen the very sad news that Paul Dickenson has passed away,’ a fellow sports commentator said on X, formerly Twitter.
‘Having grown up listening to him, it took me a while to pluck up the courage to talk to him when I was first starting out but, once I did, he was always very supportive and just great company.’
Another, sharing a memory of the broadcaster, posted: ‘Paul Dickenson’s voice brought sports fans inside the biggest stadiums at the greatest events, he always found the right words, tone and timing for many of sport’s most memorable moments.
‘For me, Paul was the star commentator who was kind and generous with his time, I had lots of questions!
‘My fondest memory of hosting the London 2012 Olympics was having Paul alongside me as beIN cut live to me for the opening ceremony.
‘Paul was the perfect guest for the occasion. I am so glad we had a little time to talk about his extraordinary life in sport. London 2012 delivered the show we believed it could.
‘Love to Paul’s family. We have lost a great friend, who always made the teas.’
Meanwhile, former English sprinter Katherine Merry, 54, said: ‘Sad to hear about the passing of 2 x Olympian, legendary commentator and coach Paul Dickenson at the age of 74.
‘Inducted into the HoF in 2019, He was an amazing man. One of the best to ever do it. RIP Paul and lots of love to friends and family.’
A fan added: ‘RIP Paul Dickenson. Legendary commentator and wonderful hammer thrower and coach. The sport lost a giant today.’
Dickenson is one of only five BBC Sport commentators in history to call gold medals for Great Britain in both the Summer and Winter Olympic Games.
As an athlete, he also competed at the 1978 and 1982 Commonwealth Games for England.
His best result at the Olympics came in 1976 when he finished in 14th, throwing the hammer 68.52 metres.
