Grandsons vow to continue Geoff Capes' shot put legacy

By Alex Seftel & Harrison Mayne BBC Sport England

On the left of a two-image collage, Geoff Capes holds a shot (as used in shot put) while wearing a Great Britain tracksuit top. On the right, Donovan and Lawson Capes - who are his grandsons - stand next to each other holding shots. — Image caption,Geoff Capes (left) competed at three Olympic Games, a level that grandsons Donovan and Lawson (right) aspire to

With a height of just under 6ft 6in,Geoff Capes was a sporting icon with a towering presence.

The three-time Olympian, who lived at Stoke Rochford, and two-time world’s strongest man has held the British shot put record since 1980, with a mark of 21.68m.

His death aged 75 in October, saw tributes come in from beyond the world of track and field, and even sport.

Now, his teenage grandsons Donovan and Lawson – who are also shot putters – have vowed to continue his legacy.

They may be too young to have seen their grandfather compete first-hand, but they are very much aware of the family history.

“He came into my primary school and did an assembly of his achievements and his journey through sport, that gave me better insight,” said 19-year-old Donovan, who switched from running to shot put upon discovering he had asthma.

“We did 30 minutes training in the back garden before my first throwing meet and I came third in that one.”

Lawson Capes lifts weights while older brother Donovan stands and spots him — Image caption,Donovan (above) and Lawson Capes (below) have both won English Schools shot put titles

Carrying the Capes name

As he has grown up, Donovan has realised that turning up to an athletics competition usually leads to instant recognition.

“I’ve been to meets sometimes where the referee or the coach would be like ‘oh you’re Capes, are you related to Geoff Capes?’,” he said.

“They’ll be like ‘oh, I expect to see big throws’, so having that creates pressure and people knowing that you have the Capes name, they’re all just going to be watching you.

“But as I’ve got older, it’s not really any pressure now. This is my journey, I’m just carrying on grandad’s legacy, rather than being in his shadow.”

Younger brother Lawson started throwing aged eight, initially combining it with sprinting.

“Throwing just felt more natural to me than running,” said the 16-year-old, who was the UK’s number one at under-17 level in 2024, reaching 18.53m with a 5kg shot.

“I was the youngest international selected in our family for England and went to Sweden for it.

“I came second and realised that I could do more training and perform better.”

Geoff Capes in conversation with his son Lewis, a young boy at the time of the photo. — Image caption,Geoff Capes with his son Lewis, the father and coach of Donovan and Lawson, in 1974

Trying the American route

Donovan – who is now studying in Colorado – is one of a growing number of British track and field athletes involved in the American college system.

“Compared to England, there is a huge difference, especially at college level,” he added.

“When I go to meets here, there’s just so many people.

“If you want to get hyped up and start clapping, everyone wants to clap with you.”

College track and field is also known for its longer season and intensive training programmes.

“It’s just basically five days of the week in the gym, five days throwing,” he explained.

“Then you get closer to the season and it’s more technical work with the throwing, rather than heavy lifting.”

Going to the USA is nothing new for the Capes family.

Donovan and Lawson’s father Lewis – Geoff’s son – played American Football while at college in California, before a spell with former NFL Europe side London Monarchs.

Geoff Capes holds a Union Jack flag while standing with Great Britain team-mates — Image caption,Geoff Capes competed at the Olympic Games in 1972, 1976 and 1980

‘Olympics would be a huge goal’

The teenage brothers, like their father, have also played rugby. But they are now fully focused on their athletics ambitions.

“[My aim] would be trying to get into Diamond Leagues or another huge goal would be the Olympics,” Donovan said.

“That’s always a goal I’ve always had… to be able to perform at the same level that our grandad did.”

Lawson has his eye on further international selections and setting British records for his age group.

“Long-term wise, I think in 2028, obviously it’s a long shot, but it would be good to see whether I could get a place [at the Olympic Games],” he said.

“In 2032, it would be good if I could get qualified, maybe come top eight, and then maybe see if I could get top three.”

Geoff Capes won two Commonwealth titles and came closest to an Olympic medal when he placed fifth at Moscow 1980.

He was World’s Strongest Man in 1983 and 1985. Such competitions are another avenue that his grandsons could take if they wanted to follow in his footsteps.

“It looks a lot of fun. But then it’s also completely another lifestyle,” Donovan added.

“You’ve just got to put everything into that and you’ve got to go crazy for it.

“That could be in the back of my mind, but then also the Highland Games could be an option.”