20 Facts About Ron Pickering

Ronald James Pickering was an athletics coach and BBC sports commentator.

Ron Pickering became head boy at West Ham Secondary School when he met the head girl and future wife Jean Desforges.

Ron Pickering won a gold medal in the 4 x 100 metres relay at the 1950 European Athletics Championships, a bronze medal in the 4 x 100 metres relay at the 1952 Olympic Games in Helsinki, a gold medal in the long jump at the 1954 European Athletics Championships, and bronze medals in both the long jump and 80 metres hurdles at the 1954 Commonwealth Games in Vancouver.

Ron Pickering did national service in the King's Own Royal Regiment, and studied for a diploma in physical education at Carnegie College of Physical Education in Leeds and then a master's degree in education at Leicester University.

Ron Pickering became a coach of athletics, moving to South Wales in 1960 to become the National Coach for Wales.

Ron Pickering coached Lynn Davies to Olympic gold in the Long jump in Tokyo 1964.

Ron Pickering became a sports commentator with the BBC, commentating mainly on athletics, but gymnastics, ski jumping and downhill skiing.

Ron Pickering was managing director of the Lee Valley Regional Park from its inception in 1967, leaving Wales to move to Hertfordshire.

Ron Pickering continued to commentate up to his sudden death in 1991.

Ron Pickering was a coach with the British team at the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo and with the Welsh team at the 1966 Commonwealth Games in Jamaica.

Ron Pickering was a recreational manager at Lee Valley Regional Park for two years before becoming an independent consultant in recreational planning management.

Ron Pickering was a television commentator at the 1968 Summer Olympic Games in Mexico City and continued in broadcasting for over 20 years.

Ron Pickering was the first host of the BBC1 children's sports programme We Are the Champions, a show he presented from 1973 until his death.

Ron Pickering co-presented the programme Superstars from 1973 to 1985 with David Vine.

Ron Pickering was a leading proponent of a scheme to use a disused banana warehouse on the Isle of Dogs as an indoor training centre, which later became the London Arena.

Ron Pickering was president of Haringey Athletic Club, whose members included Seb Coe and Mike McFarlane.

Ron Pickering was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the 1986 Birthday Honours, for services to athletics.

Ron Pickering died at home in Digswell a few weeks after a heart bypass operation.

Ron Pickering was survived by his wife, their son and daughter.

Shaun Ron Pickering died on 11 May 2023, at the age of 61.