On a bright sunny day of July 19, 2022, twelve runners lined up on the track at Hayward Field, Eugene, Oregon, USA, for the finals of the World Athletics Championships 1500m. With their breath held, the stadium full of fans set their eyes on three Olympic medalists from Tokyo in the same category who stood in the lineup: Jakob Ingebrigtsen, Josh Kerr, and Timothy Cheruiyot. The gun was shot, the race started, and the stadium was roaring, and then something unexpected happened! With the Olympians in the lineup, it was natural to expect them to take the crown. But it was a British man, Jake Wightman, with a solid time of 3:29.23, who took the crown. And it was no small feat! By doing so, he became the only British athlete after Steve Cram did so in 1983 in Helsinki. This isn’t! All this while, his dad, his coach, and his biggest supporter, Geoff Wightman, were by his side. But now they are parting ways!
On March 5, the 2022 world champion took to Instagram to announce that he would be breaking coaching ties with his father. In a heartfelt post, he reflected on their journey together, writing, “At the age of 14, a great race for me would see me make a Scottish Schools final. From then, my dad has grown with me through this sport, culminating in reaching the top of the world together in 2022.” Jake’s mother, Susan, had initially been his coach at Fettes College in Edinburgh.
But when he needed an extra push, Geoff stepped in as his coach when Jake was 14. Their almost 16 years of partnership led to remarkable success, but now Jake believes the time has come for a change. “The point has come in my career where both physically and mentally we both need to go our separate ways… By doing this, we ensure there’s plenty more to come in the future, not as a coach/athlete but as a father/son, away from the intensity and stress of training and racing.” Jake wrote.
Since his 2022 world title, Jake has been facing setbacks that include long injury layoffs keeping him out for the 2023 season and last summer’s Paris Olympics. Jake’s father thought that his coaching was not working out anymore as it was leading to Jake’s injuries in the last few years. He continued in the caption, “Coaches don’t get the gratitude they deserve at the best of times.“
He thanked his dad for the contribution. “So this is to say thank you, Dad, for all the years of selfless time and money. I hope we can both look back on what we achieved together with immense pride.” In June 2017, Jake won the IAAF Diamond League circuit by clocking a personal best of 3:34.17. His father also helped Jake win the European junior 1500m title in 2013 and was often behind the microphone during all of his biggest races.
While it looks from the post that parting has been cordial. Also, the pictures shared during the announcement made it more evident. In the first picture, Jake was seen all smiling with his parents holding his WC 2022 medal. In the next series of pictures, it was Jake Wightman and Geoff Wightam on the track, while training and having fun.
While parting ways with a longtime coach, especially a parent, can be an emotional decision. His recent struggles with injuries may have somewhat made it clear that adjustments are necessary. But at the same time, we cannot forget the contributions Jake’s father has made as a coach in his life. Especially the moment when Geoff got to announce his son’s win to the world himself.
Geoff Wightman shares his feelings to commentate on Jake’s track and field win at World Championships
As 1500m Track and Field champion Jake Wightman left a star-studded field trailing behind him to claim gold at Hayward Field in Oregon with his fastest-ever career time, his father, Geoff Wightman, was also working as the stadium announcer in 2022. In a remarkable moment of personal and professional overlap, Geoff had to maintain his composure while witnessing his son’s crowning achievement.
But he couldn’t contain his emotion. Addressing about 20,000 spectators through the tannoy, the 61-year-old proudly declared, “I have got to tell you why the camera is on me. That’s my son. I coach him. And he’s the world champion.” During the last few stretches, Jakob Ingebrigtsen had just taken the lead, and the expectation was that he would surge ahead and secure victory.
However, it looked like Jake Wightman had a different strategy—to stick close, cover any breaks, and strike when the moment was right. Jake made his move around the bend before the real sprint began, forcing his way to the front. Close behind him were top contenders Josh Kerr and Tim Cheruiyot, adding to the intensity of the race.
Reflecting on the tactical execution, Geoff Wightman shared his insight in an interview in 2022. “It was exciting. I talked through with Jake that he was in the form to win it and how that might happen. The best chance you have against Jakob is in the last 150m, but you’ve got to be with him—and very few people can do that.“
or Geoff Wightman, the experience of calling his own son’s world championship victory must have been surreal and unforgettable. Balancing his role as both a professional commentator and a deeply proud father, he captured the raw emotion of the moment for everyone in attendance.
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