In my genes
Athletics Weekly|March 26, 2020
OUR SERIES ON OLYMPIANS AND THEIR OFFSPRING CONTINUES WITH TRIPLE JUMPERTURNED-CHEF FRANCIS AGYEPONG AND HIS DAUGHTER CASSIOPEIA
In my genes
FRANCIS AGYEPONG competed for Britain in the triple jump at the Barcelona Olympics in 1992 and Atlanta Games in 1996. He also won silver at the European Indoor Championships in 1996 and his best mark of 17.18m puts him No.9 on the UK all-time rankings.

Now aged 54, he also competed in the 1993, 1995 and 1997 world championships and works as an executive chef at a Covent Garden restaurant.

Cassiopeia, his daughter, is an actress, singer and theatre writer. The 26-year-old’s debut play, Shuck ‘n’ Jive, co-written with Simone Ibbett-Brown, premiered at Soho Theatre in October 2019 and is published by Oberon Books.

In 2020, she will join the cast of Phantom of the Opera for their UK & Ireland Tour.

Francis Agyepong

AW: When and why did you retire?

FA: In 2000 after the British trials when I was trying to make the team for the Sydney Olympics whilst carrying an injury I had since March 1998 from a meet in Tokyo. I had tried to get fit for the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur but had an operation on my ankle and I just thought after seeing the stadium that things happen for a reason and maybe it was time to retire.

AW: How has the transition been and what do you do now?

This story is from the March 26, 2020 edition of Athletics Weekly.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the March 26, 2020 edition of Athletics Weekly.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM ATHLETICS WEEKLYView All
Carbon Footprint
Athletics Weekly

Carbon Footprint

You'd have had to have been running on a different planet to miss all the recent debate about carbon-plated shoes. The talk of bans and performance enhancement has been so widespread that even non-runners are asking their running friends about the potentially magical footwear.

time-read
2 mins  |
March 26, 2020
Athletics Weekly

Trail time

WHEN looking for a trail or off-road running shoe, it’s often all about the grip. However, given that no two paths are the same, careful consideration is required. What’s the terrain like where you’ll wear the shoes the most? If you’ll be negotiating soft, wet and muddy conditions then look for deeper lugs. For tackling gravel tracks and forest trails then more evenly spaced lugs will work better. When it comes to cushioning, consider how hard the ground will be; if it’s soft then you’ll be fine in low-profile shoes, but on those firmer tracks reasonable cushioning will be called for.

time-read
4 mins  |
March 26, 2020
Support network
Athletics Weekly

Support network

WHEN it comes to ‘over-pronation’, a common question is ‘how much is over?’. With no hard and fast rules, it’s best to choose a shoe that instinctively feels right. Gait analysis can often assist in helping you make this choice and your specialist running store is always a good place to start if in doubt. To help you make that choice, here’s a selection of some of the best ‘support’ shoes around.

time-read
4 mins  |
March 26, 2020
Need for speed
Athletics Weekly

Need for speed

THE racing shoe segment of the market is becoming somewhat split. This is partially due to the rise of carbon-plated footwear but also the fact that many shoes are becoming much lighter. Here we take a look at some of the leading contenders to toe the line in.

time-read
2 mins  |
March 26, 2020
How To Prime Your Immunity
Athletics Weekly

How To Prime Your Immunity

Taking steps to shore your body’s defences has never been more important. Here’s how to do it, says Peta Bee

time-read
6 mins  |
March 26, 2020
English Schools Survival At Stake
Athletics Weekly

English Schools Survival At Stake

Covid-19 could lead to ESAA losing thousands this summer

time-read
2 mins  |
March 19, 2020
Covid-19: Athletics Events Are Wiped Out
Athletics Weekly

Covid-19: Athletics Events Are Wiped Out

Unprecedented calendar changes due to Covid-19

time-read
3 mins  |
March 19, 2020
Tributes for Lindsay Dunn
Athletics Weekly

Tributes for Lindsay Dunn

BRENDAN FOSTER, CHARLIE SPEDDING AND OTHERS SAY FAREWELL TO ONE OF BRITAIN’S MOST PROLIFIC AND ADMIRED ENDURANCE COACHES

time-read
9 mins  |
March 26, 2020
Treasure islands
Athletics Weekly

Treasure islands

TRAVEL TO THE CAYMAN ISLANDS IN DECEMBER FOR A RACECATION LIKE NO OTHER

time-read
4 mins  |
March 26, 2020
Tokyo Olympics are postponed
Athletics Weekly

Tokyo Olympics are postponed

2020 GAMES AND PARALYMPICS ARE NOW SET TO TAKE PLACE NEXT YEAR

time-read
3 mins  |
March 26, 2020