By Duncan Mackay

Former BBC TV commentator David Coleman has died at the age of 87 ©Getty ImagesDecember 21 - Britain's David Coleman, one of the most accomplished broadcasters in Olympic history, has died at the age of 87, it was announced today.


Coleman, who retired after Sydney 2000 having covered 11 Olympics for BBC Television since his debut at Rome in 1960, died peacefully with his family at his bedside following a short illness.

Coleman's coverage included the ill-fated 1972 Munich Olympics, where he broadcast for several hours during the siege by Palestinian terrorists.

He also covered six FIFA World Cups, was the presenter of Grandstand and Sportsnight, was the host of the Question Of Sport for 18 years and was the voice of athletics during a career with the Corporation that lasted nearly half-a-century.

Coleman was well-known for his catchphrase, including "quite remarkable" and "one-nil" when he was commentating on football. 

He was awarded an Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1992 and the Olympic Order by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 2000 following his retirement. 

The award is the highest honour of the Olympic Movement.

David Coleman, seen here at Moscow 1980, was awarded the Olympic Order by the IOC in 2000 shortly after covering Sydney 2000, his 11th Games ©Getty ImagesDavid Coleman, seen here at Moscow 1980, was awarded the Olympic Order by the IOC in 2000 shortly after covering Sydney 2000, his 11th Games ©Getty Images

Tributes were led by British Prime Minister David Cameron, who wrote on Twttier: "Sad to hear David Coleman has died - the voice of BBC Sport for as long as I can remember."

The BBC's director general Tony Hall said: "David Coleman was one of this country's greatest and most respected broadcasters.

"Generations grew up listening to his distinctive and knowledgeable commentary.

"Whether presenting, commentating or offering analysis, he set the standard for all of today's sports broadcasters."

Fellow commentator Brendan Foster said he was the "greatest sports broadcaster who ever lived".

Foster, the 1976 Olympic 10,000 metres bronze medallist: "Everybody had a David Coleman quote they could use.

"It could have been about Pele, [Bobby] Charlton, [John] Toshack or [Kevin] Keegan, or just 'one-nil'.

"It was a privilege to have him commentating on races during my career, to work with him and to call him a friend."

Another athlete turned BBC broadcaster, the former world mile record holder Steve Cram, claimed Coleman was an influence on his career.

"When I met him at major championships he would give me very helpful advice on travel and how to deal with the media," he said.

"He had a reputation for being tough and demanding, but I always found him an incredibly generous bloke."

David Coleman spent nearly 50 years working for the BBC ©Hulton ArchiveDavid Coleman spent nearly 50 years working for the BBC ©Hulton Archive

Coleman also found himself the subject of a regular column in satirical magazine Private Eye, with its Colemanballs feature documenting commentators' gaffes to this day.

One of the gaffes Coleman was best known for came at Mexico City 1968 when, after being recorded speaking 200 words per minute while commentating on Britain's David Hemery's win in the 400m hurdles, he could only identify the first two and famously exclaimed: "Who cares who's third?"

The bronze medal winner turned out to be another Briton, John Sherwood.

Born in 1926 in Alderley Edge, Cheshire, the grammar school boy was a keen amateur runner in his younger days and was part of the Manchester Athletic Club team that won a bronze medal at the English National Cross Country Championships in 1952.

He first worked as a reporter for the Stockport Express, and during military service worked for the British Army Newspaper Unit.

Part of his time in national service was carried out in Kenya.

He joined the BBC in 1954 as a news assistant and sports editor

His first television appearance was on Sportsview, coincidentally on the day that Roger Bannister broke the four-minute mile.

In November 1955, he was appointed sports editor for the BBC's Midlands Region and three years later he began presenting Saturday afternoon sports programme Grandstand.

Coleman leaves a wife, Barbara, with whom he had six children, Anne, Dean, David, Mandy, Michael and Samantha.

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