Peter Coe and Nicole Cooke

Sebastian Coe's father, Peter, died today aged 88. Peter Coe has had a big impact on my running because he wrote what I consider to be the most readable and easy to follow book on running, simply called "Running for Fitness."

He trained his son to two gold and two silver medals at the Olympics and also lectured around the world on running and coaching.

But this sad news came at the same time I found out Nicole Cooke won the women's Olympic road race. She is the most deserving winner I know of. Like Paula Radcliffe she was a champion but she didn't have a title. Now she has the medal she richly deserves.