Former Great Britain Head Coach Ian Turner Passes Away
Ian Turner, the former Great Britain head coach who guided Paul Palmer to Olympic and world medals, has passed away.
He served as British Swimming head coach from 1999-2008 before taking up leadership positions in New Zealand and Singapore.
During his coaching career, Turner placed 25 swimmers on seven Olympic Games teams. Swimmers under his leadership won 127 medals at Olympic, World and European Championships and Commonwealth Games.
Turner helped steer Palmer to silver in the 400m freestyle at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996. He followed that with gold in the 200 free and 4×200 freestyle relay at the European Championships in Seville, Spain, the following year.
Palmer then claimed double bronze in the 400 free and 4×200 freestyle relay at the 1998 World Championships in Perth, Australia.
Turner was also the development coach for Lizzie Simmonds, fourth in the 200 back at London 2012 and two-time European champion – and world, European and Commonwealth medallist Mel Marshall who went on to coach Adam Peaty to three Olympic golds.
Marc Spackman trained under Turner at Lincoln Pentaqua and relocated to Bath with his mentor, winning world 4×2 bronze. Spackman has gone on to have a successful coaching career himself including his role as Elite Performance Coach at The Royal Wolverhampton School where he mentored Alice Dearing and Matt Richards.
A statement from the British Swimming Coaches Association (BSCA) read: “The BSCA are extremely sad to learn of the passing overnight of former GB National Head Coach Ian Turner.
“He served as British Swimming’s Head Coach from 1999–2008 and later held key roles in New Zealand and Singapore before supporting grassroots swimming through the Pentaqua Swim Academy.
“Ian was a schoolteacher for 23 years prior to becoming a professional swimming coach. Whilst teaching and coaching at Lincoln Pentaqua swim club, Turner placed 4 local youngsters on GB Olympic Games Teams (1988/1992/1996), with Paul Palmer winning Silver in Atlanta. These 4 swimmers also won medals at World & European Championships.
“After the 1996 Olympic Games he moved to Bath University to develop the first High Performance Centre in Great Britain.
“During his coaching career, Turner has placed 25 swimmers on 7 Olympic Games teams.
“In addition, swimmers under his leadership won 127 medals at Olympic, World, European and Commonwealths.
“After leaving the UK in 2008, Turner joined the North Shore Club in Auckland before moving to Singapore to become Technical Director.
“Our condolences go to his family & friends.”
My great colleague, true friend, adviser and protector during my 6.5 years work for the British Swimming 1999-2005. I thank you Ian, my immense respect for you and memories will stay with me!
Hello Adreii
I hope you are well get on touch. We are all saddened by the loss a great friend
As a friend of 50 plus years I knew Ian, or Ernie, as everyone called him in Lincoln through our sporting interests. As well as a top swimmer he was a great footballer.
I remember years later turning up at the school he taught at in Lincoln unannounced with another friend Tony Betts and watched him take a sports class. Typically he made time for us and juggled this with teaching 50 kids.
Ernie was always interested in other people’s successes and I think, never fully appreciated the enormity of his own achievements.
He was one of Lincoln’s finest and he will be missed.
I hope someone is kind enough to email me with details of the funeral. thank you