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.
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.”
