Ian Coley MBE, the man that led Peter Wilson to gold at London 2012, has announced that he is retiring from his role as double trap coach for British Shooting.
Coley’s affinity with the Olympics began back in 2000 at the Sydney Games when he coached Richard Faulds to double trap gold.
And 12 years on he repeated the feat as Wilson climbed the top step of the podium in the capital – Coley also collected dozens of medals at World Cup, European and World Championship level.
But at age 66 and with an Olympic champion in his stable, Coley believes now is the right time to call it a day.
The Gloucestershire-born coach said: “I really am retiring at the top of what I could achieve. It’s a bit like Sir Alex Ferguson, I am coming out on the top and I did it my way.
“One thing I didn’t want to be is an old fart of the shooting world. In another four years time I’ll be 70, so I feel I’ve chosen the right time to come out and I’m delighted with what I’ve achieved throughout my career.
“I will miss the Olympics so much, I’m sure when Rio comes around I will be watching the television with much excitement.
“Make no mistake about it I will still be in and around the shooting world, I very much enjoy it and I’ve got a grandson who is 13, and who knows, he could be the next Peter Wilson! He has pictures on his wall of Peter which I think is great and he sees Pete as one of his sporting idols.
“It’s fantastic to see that British Double Trap is now ranked as one of the top three nations in the world and it’s nice to know that I’ve been part of getting it to that standard.”
Speaking of his London 2012 coach, gold medallist Wilson said: “Ian's passion for the sport is infectious.
“Without his help none of what we've achieved would have been possible. I owe him a huge debt of gratitude and wish him all the best for the future."
© Sportsbeat 2013