John Askew: 1957-2026

England Athletics, Bexley AC and the international officiating community are saddened to hear of the passing of John Askew after a long and determined battle with illness. John was the recipient of the England Athletics Official of the Year in 2024, and was heavily involved as an officials' tutor, with his Club Bexley AC, and as a top level official at home and abroad, including being Clerk of the Course at the London Olympics and Paralympics and Assistant Technical Manager at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Chris Cohen presented John with his Volunteer Award in 2024. He said:

"Last year I had the great honour to be asked to present John with the Official of the Year Volunteer Award. He was an official’s official in the truest sense in that he was always happy to teach, to mentor and to support others at all levels of their officiating journey. He was also one of the most positive people I know, always seeing the good side of every situation and every person, and with a wonderful sense of humour."

John was at heart a Level 4 field official, working at all types of events from the World Championships, Olympics in 2012, to grassroots events such as the Kent Young Athletes League. But he was always regarded as one of the Technical Manager 'gurus', the 'Guv', the go-to man for anything related to equipment and facility set up for competition.

He had also been a coach, a county representative on committees, and a club servant for over 40 years. John had a wealth of knowledge in athletics and happily mentored many others to achieve very high standards and understanding. John was deeply respected for his achievements and the kindness he showed officials and athletes.

In the words of others

We feel that John can be best described in the words of his friends, colleagues and some of the athletes who knew him.

England Athletics CEO Chris Jones said:

"John gave so much to his club Bexley but also to the wider sport and was a hugely experienced technical official who worked on some of the biggest occasions the sport has experienced in the UK during this past couple of decades. He will be missed greatly by those he worked with and - most importantly - his family and friends. It is a very sad day for our sport."

Sharing his extensive knowledge

John's tremendous knowledge was noted by many; indeed he was also an officiating tutor and so able to pass his insights on to the next generation of officials through his tutoring, mentoring and helping nd guiding others during events:

Alison Jordan noted: "He was the 'phone a friend' for many an official with a technical question - and he was rarely stumped for an answer." And other officials Moira Nisbett and Claire Lacey added: "He was a fount of knowledge which he willingly shared with his athletic friends." "Knowledge like you had was second to none."

Ken Burkett added:

"His knowledge was incredible, his eye for detail was amazing. But it is how John made us feel that I will miss the most. He believed in me when I did not think I could do things. I was so proud to work with him at the World indoors as an official."

Going the extra mile

John often went out of his way to go the extra mile for his officiating friends; Sian Thomas commented: "He was one of a small group who made me believe in myself after a cancer diagnosis. He looked out for me every day at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham - despite knowing he was ill and waiting for his own diagnosis. At my first national event, when I could no longer reach to replace the high jump bar, he magically appeared with some lifters. Always one step ahead."

Another officiating colleague, Maureen Fletcher added: "He would always take time to check on me after my cancer diagnosis, even when he had the devastating news of his own illness."

A club stalwart

He was also a stalwart within his club Bexley AC; club member Helen McKee said:

"John was one of those genuinely lovely people, always with a big smile, a a helping hand, going that extra mile for others. He did so much for our son when he was a Bexley Tiger, and soon became a friend."

In his own words

John also gave a wonderful interview after receiving his England Athletics Inspiring Official of the Year award in 2024. Watch the video below.

Play Video

John, you will be sorely missed - by your club, your officiating family and by us at England Athletics and athletics events around the world. So many people are proud to have known you, to have called you a friend. Rest in Peace 'Guv'.