RIEP Mike McFarlane: A man with a special connection

MIKE MCFARLANE OBE OLY, otherwise known as ‘Macky’ or ‘Mac’, a formidable athlete and friend to me and many others in the athletics community, left us on Wednesday 31 May 2023.

As a sprinter, Mac competed in the 60m, 100m, 200m and the 4x100m relay, but it was the 200m that had his name written all over it.  From a young man competing for London at the English Schools Athletics Championships, through to winning gold at the 1979 European Junior Championships, he made his mark and was part of the 80s era where many great British Black sprinters emerged; coached by the one and only John Isaacs at the renowned Haringey Athletics Club – a club who produced several medal winning athletes in track and field over the years. 

His medal collection at senior level is one to be admired; 1985 European Indoor Championship 60m gold medallist; a silver medal at the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games 4x100m relay where he teamed up with John Regis, Elliott Bunny and Linford Christie was one of many highlights of his career. 

Mac was a positive male role model to young Black men and boys in this challenging society

His performance in the 1982 Commonwealth Games 200m final is a race that will go down in history.  Two athletes went head-to-head, toe-to-toe in the last 100m; the Olympic champion (Scotland’s Alan Wells) and European Junior champion (England’s Mike McFarlane). 

What a race it was! Mac ran a storming bend from lane 2, holding stride for stride with Wells in lane 5.  History was made giving both athletes joint first place, and it was a message to many athletes that anything is possible on the day, no matter whether you are an Olympic champion or not.

For me – and I am sure the many other British sprinters who followed – have watched that race on numerous occasions and have been inspired to learn the technique of the 200m but for me most importantly it’s what Mac’s optimistic thought process was before that iconic race; “Make the final and see happens”. Many an athlete adopted those wise words.

The knowledge Mac had as an athlete could not go to waste and sure enough, he shared his expertise through coaching where he produced some world class athletes over the years.  Despite many challenges along the way, he persevered and continued to coach because athletics was his passion, athletics was his extended family. 

Mac was old school and said it as it was…you always knew where you stood with him, because he was always a straight talking person and never minced his words. You either accepted it or you didn’t that was your choice and the only way I can describe that attribute was that he was just like a ‘Dad’ to myself and many other athletes; he simply wanted the best for his ‘children’. 

He gave honest feedback only to make us better, which he knew we could be.  He always had words of encouragement, words of advice and generally cared about young people excelling, because he could see when there was talent to be unlocked and Mac often had the key. 

Among all the advice, there was always jokes too! He was a stalwart coach at Lee Valley and whenever Mac and his fellow athlete teammates got together (those who are now athletics coaches themselves); Donovan Reid, Clarence Callender, Anthony Jarrett to name but a few, there was bound to be some reminiscing of the Haringey days and much laughter.

In 2001, Mac so richly deserved the recognition for all his achievements on the track when he was appointed the Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to athletics.

His main passion was his family; coupled with athletics they both meant the world to him and would without a doubt go over and above for his family.  Everyone who knows Mac will also know his wife, Joanne and his son Ryan and how important they were to him.  I have no doubt Ryan will continue his legacy by being a decent and respectable person with morals, values and a high achieving mindset, just like his father.

I had the great pleasure of working with Mac on the UK Athletics ‘COACH’ project for Black History Month 2018. The photographic project was created to recognise Black coaches who were once athletes themselves to showcase the time and effort coaches put in behind the scenes to produce great athletes.

Mac was so proud to be part of the project and seeing his happiness when he saw his image, absolutely made my day.  The images of Mac captured exactly his words and personality – authority, excellence with a touch of fun.

His main passion was his family; coupled with athletics they both meant the world to him and would without a doubt go over and above for his family

Mac will be missed by so many of us for so many different reasons.  He had a special connection with all who knew him, and I really hope he knew the positive impact he had on us.  Being the optimistic person he was, I think about one of his quotes in a Daily Mail interview when talking about that Commonwealth Games final: “Pressure is what you make it. If you put too much on yourself, you never perform. Make the final and see what happens. That’s how I viewed it.” 

Again, words of wisdom not only in sport but in life.  Thinking about Mac’s words, the great Dr Martin Luther King Jr comes to mind:  “If you can’t fly, then run. If you can’t run, then walk.  If you can’t walk, then crawl but whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward”.

I am so sad you have left us in this way Mac and words cannot express how much you will be missed by your friends, family and athletics family.

You were a blessing to us all – you graced us with fantastic performances as an athlete, you guided athletes to great performances as a coach, you mentored many students to excel in everything they do, you were a positive male role model to young Black men and boys in this challenging society, you were a friend with a listening ear, who people could turn to for honest and helpful advice, you were a son to your parents who could only be proud of your achievements, you were a father who paved the way for Ryan to be a decent, strong minded young man with self-belief and you were a supportive husband who lived by your vows and loved unconditionally.

Our beloved athletics ‘brother’ you may have left us far too soon, but your conscientious and loving presence will endure forever in our hearts and souls. 

Dance with the angels Mac and no doubt Ayo (Falola), Lloyd (Cowan), Shaun (Pickering) and your fellow athletics brothers and sisters who have gone before you will be waiting for you at heavens gate.

Thank YOU for being you. RIEP Mac x