Belgrave double Olympian John Bicourt 1945-2023

The club has received the very sad news that John Bicourt passed away at the weekend after a period of illness.

John Bicourt representing his country in 1977.

He died peacefully in hospital with his beloved wife Val at his side.

An ever-present in the Belgrave road and cross country team of the 1960s, John competed in the 3000m steeplechase at the 1972 Olympics in Munich and then again in 1976 in Montreal. He held club records of 5:31.43 and 8:22.82 in the 2000mSC and 3000mSC respectively, and was club president from 2011-2012.

He coached Paul Evans to the Belgrave club record for the marathon in 1996 and most recently guided Belgravian Josh Trigwell to the English 1500m title last summer.

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Full obituary and tributes to follow.

John Bicourt, left and wearing 24, on his way to winning the 1965 Belgrave junior 5 miles cross country championships on Wimbledon Common.

John Bicourt with words of wisdom for his athlete Josh Trigwell after a very close sub-4 mile attempt at Wimbledon Park in summer 2022.

John Bicourt (black jacket, right of centre) joins a team photo after supporting the men’s cross country team to a Surrey League win on Mitcham Common in January 2022.