Australian athletics mourns loss of Gary Bourne

Australian athletics has lost a dedicated and passionate figure, with the passing of legendary jumps coach, former Queensland Athletics President and Athletics Australia Life Member Gary Bourne overnight.

Australia's most successful horizontal jumps coach, Bourne was the mastermind behind the Australian records of Olympic medallist Mitchell Watt and Bronwyn Thompson, the world championship gold and world record of Carlee Beattie and he also guided Henry Frayne to Commonwealth silver, amongst many other achievements.

Athletics Australia President Jane Flemming expressed her deepest condolences to those touched by Bourne, as well as her gratitude for his contributions to the sport.

“Gary Bourne's passing is an enormous loss to Australian athletics," Flemming said.

"In the world of athletics, Gary was considered a jumps guru. He was head coach of the National Jumps Centre at the QAS but was more than a coach. He was also a mentor, educator and a guiding light that led countless athletes to soar to the highest levels of Olympic, World and Commonwealth rankings.

"His dedication, selflessness, unwavering passion and commitment transformed athletes into champions and nurtured individuals into outstanding human beings. Gary's legacy will forever echo in the hearts of the Queensland and Australian athletics community, reminding us that a coach's greatness is not just in records broken but in lives touched and inspired. He leaves behind a void in Australian athletics that will be difficult to fill, but his influence will continue to inspire generations in the lead-up to Brisbane 2032 and beyond.”

Full vale to follow.  

Posted: 2/11/2023
Photo: Bourne with his squad at the 2023 Chemist Warehouse Australian Athletics Championships