Robbie Brightwell MBE

Robbie attended º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ from 1959 to 1962, studying Physical Education, and again from 1967 to 1970, gaining his Master’s in Human Sciences Research. Later, in 2009, Robbie was awarded a Centenary Honorary Degree from º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ.  

He won silver medals at the 1962 British Empire and Commonwealth Games for the 400m and 4x400m relay, and gold and silver at the 1962 European Championships for the 400 metres and 4x400 metres relay, respectively. He also enjoyed success at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, taking silver in the 4×400 metres and captaining the team. 

Since his retirement from athletics, he earned several coaching qualifications and worked in education - notably as a lecturer at º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ Colleges (1965-71) - and held directorships with sports companies, including Adidas and Le Coq Sportif. 

In 2011, Robbie was inducted into the º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ Sport Hall of Fame, a celebrated group of º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ affiliates with notable achievements in sport. In 2019, he was inducted into the England Athletics Hall of Fame, ten years after his wife, fellow Olympian Ann Brightwell, née Packer. 

Our thoughts are with Ann and the rest of their family. 

Read an obituary by Frank Dick, fellow alumnus and member of the Hall of Fame, via Athletics Weekly.