Geoff Capes: Shot Putter, Strongman, Police Officer

Few athletes have bridged the gap between Olympic shot putting and the World’s Strongest Man competition without missing a step, but Geoff Capes did it while also serving as a police officer in London. That unlikely combination made him a singular figure in British sport.

Born: 23 August 1949 ·
Died: 23 October 2024 ·
Height: 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) ·
Weight: Approx. 280 lb (127 kg) ·
Olympic Appearances: 3 (1968, 1972, 1976) ·
World’s Strongest Man Titles: 2 (1983, 1985)

Eight key facts, one pattern: Capes’s life was defined by strength in multiple arenas—from the shot put circle to the strongman stage, and even the police beat.

Was Geoff Capes a police officer?

Police Career

• Geoff Capes joined Cambridgeshire Constabulary in 1970 and served for ten years (Geoff Capes Foundation (official charity)).
• He was also appointed a Justice of the Peace (The Guardian (UK newspaper)).

The implication: Capes balanced his police duties with training for the Olympics, a trade-off that few modern athletes would consider.

Was Geoff Capes ever married?

Family Life

• Geoff Capes was married to Jane Capes (BBC Sport (UK news outlet)).
• The couple had three children together (Geoff Capes Foundation (official charity)).

The trade-off: A private family man who rarely discussed his home life, Capes kept his personal and public personas separate.

What was Geoff Capes’ diet like?

Daily Calorie Intake

• A 1976 article reported he consumed 8,000–10,000 calories per day to fuel his training and competitions (BBC Sport (UK news outlet)).
• His diet included multiple meals, large portions of meat, eggs, and milk (The Week (UK current affairs magazine)).

What this means: For fans curious about the strongman diet, Capes’s eating habits were a practical necessity, not a gimmick.

Did Geoff Capes have children?

Children

• He had two sons, Lewis and Joseph, and a daughter, Holly (BBC Sport (UK news outlet)).

The pattern: Three children, two of whom followed him into strength sports—Lewis competed in Highland Games events.

What did Geoff Capes do for a living?

Career as Shot Putter

• He represented Great Britain at three Olympic Games (1968, 1972, 1976) (Olympics.com (official database)).
• He won Commonwealth Games gold in 1974 and European Indoor bronze in 1975 (The New York Times (US newspaper)).
• He set the British shot put record at 21.68 metres in 1980, which stood until 2003 (BBC Sport (UK news outlet)).

Strongman Career

• After the 1980 Olympics, he turned professional as a strongman (Olympics.com (official database)).
• He won the World’s Strongest Man competition in 1983 and 1985 (BBC Sport (UK news outlet)).
• He also competed in Highland Games, becoming a regular champion (Geoff Capes Foundation (official charity)).

Police Officer

• He worked as a police officer in Cambridgeshire Constabulary from 1970 to 1980 (Geoff Capes Foundation (official charity)).

The pattern: Three careers, one driving force—a relentless physicality that never found a single outlet.

How much was Geoff Capes worth?

Net Worth at Death

• His probate records showed a net estate of £240,000 (BBC Sport (UK news outlet)).
• He earned prize money from strongman competitions and endorsements, but the exact total net worth beyond probate remains unclear (Geoff Capes Foundation (official charity)).

What this means: For a man who once lifted cars and threw a 16-pound shot 21 metres, his financial legacy was modest—a reflection of the era before strongman became a commercial juggernaut.

For young athletes in Britain today, Capes’s life sends a clear message: you don’t have to choose between a day job and a world-class career. The trade-off is commitment—and the willingness to walk away from a secure salary to chase a title. For those dreaming of the strongman stage, the lesson is simple: start with the shot put, and never underestimate the value of a police pension.