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The IAAF is deeply saddened to receive the news Renowned BBC television producer Martin Webster passed away in London on 27 March after a long battle with motor neuron disease. He was 56.
Widely regarded as one of the finest television producers of his generation, Martin was the BBC's executive producer at the 2006 Commonwealth Games and the 2008 Olympic Games. Webster, who joined BBC Wales in 1978, was the television chief for all major athletics events staged in the UK through the 2009 World Championships in Berlin and the 2010 London Marathon, his last assignment. He won the prestigious British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) award for his work at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester and again for the 2009 World Championships in Berlin.
Webster, admired for his innovative eye and instinct which contributed greatly to improving television production of athletics, was also responsible for the host broadcast track and field coverage at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney.
IAAF Press Commission member and BBC Statistician Mark Butler shares with us his emotions after the passing of his friend and colleague:
"I worked for Martin Webster from his early years at the BBC in the 1980s right up to his last assignment which was the 2010 London Marathon less than one year ago. I have lost one of the best people I’ve ever worked with and the athletics family has lost a great friend, one who strived to make our sport look and sound more exciting than ever. My heart goes out to all his family.
"You would not have seen much of him at a meeting because he’d be shut away in a production truck in the TV compound. But you would see the results of his work as the pictures he produced and the commentaries he guided would be enjoyed by millions. As would his keen embrace of the latest video technology applications.
"It was not just on the BBC, Martin, as host broadcaster, would have been responsible for the images presented to the world from events staged in Britain such as the 2003 World Indoor Championships in Birmingham and the World Cross Country Championships of 1995, 1999 and 2008.
"His work didn’t just include athletics. I remember him telling me that his first significant TV production was for figure skating at Streatham Ice Rink. Football was a large part of his portfolio, and of course he was the BBC’s Executive Producer at the 2008 Olympic Games. How cruel that his terrible illness deprived him of the chance to be involved at the next Olympics, to be staged just a few miles from his own home.
"Martin’s reputation was internationally renowned and this was confirmed by his appointment to produce the host broadcast coverage of track events at the Sydney Olympics. If you’ve watched big athletics on TV or You Tube, the chances are that a good deal of it would have been a Martin Webster production.
"It was fun and a privilege to be part of his team for so long. Like all the best managers, he knew everyone’s job well and was quick to deal with problems faced by those like me far down his line of control.
"He was willing and able to muck in at every stage. From high-level meetings with the powers that be, to navigating from stadium to airport against the clock, you could always rely on Martin."
IAAF
