Ex-Team GB athlete dies aged 28 as tributes pour in for 'real star'

Robbie Fitzgibbon was a standout junior runner before finishing 13th in the 1500m at the London Anniversary Games in 2017, and was a well-known figure in the athletics community

Robbie Fitzgibbon, a former British international middle distance runner, has tragically passed away at the age of 28. His club, Brighton Phoenix, announced his death on Friday night, revealing that he died on October 7.

Fitzgibbon had been a standout athlete at junior level and finished 13th in the 1500m at the London Anniversary Games in 2017. He also achieved a personal best in Nijmegen that summer, running 3:36:97.

He competed at the European Indoor Championships in Glasgow in 2019 before suffering a serious injury. Earlier this year, he revealed that he had been diagnosed with psychosis, a serious mental illness, in 2022.

Despite this, he began training for next year's Brighton Marathon, raising money for the mental health charity Mind. "It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of one of our most cherished athletes, Robbie Fitzgibbon," read a statement from the Brighton Phoenix board written by club chair Mike Townley and vice chair Josh Guilmant.

"A friend to many, and a source of motivation for all who had the privilege of knowing him, Robbie was the epitome of a runner's runner, embodying everything we value at Phoenix.", reports the Mirror.

"Though Robbie will no longer run alongside us, share his stories or lift our spirits with his humour and kindness, his presence will continue to be felt in everything we do as a club. His contribution to Brighton Phoenix is enduring, living on through the countless memories we have shared.

"In recent years, Robbie took a step back from the intense nature of track running, moving from middle-distance to becoming a key member of our distance group, finding enjoyment again not just in racing cross country and road but being part of the team and wider Phoenix community.

"He would always be the first to put his hand up for another race. This summer, he was part of the South Downs Way Relay team, setting a leg record along the way, medalling in the County Cross Country Champs at Goodwood where he started his club running career and running Christmas day parkrun at Preston Park on a monumental hangover.

"Robbie gave so much to the club and we know the club meant just as much to him. It is difficult to find the right words in moments like these. Robbie was not just an athlete to us; he was a friend, a team-mate, and an irreplaceable part of our Phoenix family."

Jake Wightman, the two-time British champion and Olympian, paid tribute on Instagram declaring: "Will always remember him as the young lad I met back in Kenya 2015, who always had a smile on his face. So so sad. RIP Gibbo."

Team GB's Ellie Baker added: "A real star. Thanks for the laughs and the memories Robbie. You will be missed by so many. Rest in peace my friend".

Fitzsimmons revealed on his Just Giving page that he had been diagnosed with Psychosis in 2022, following his struggles to return to elite competition after an ankle issue, which had required surgery.

He penned an emotional statement, saying: "I'm raising money for Mind because in 2022 I was diagnosed with a mental illness called Psychosis and recovering from this has been a really difficult challenge so i'm wanting to give back to Mind charity and help raise awareness and also raise some money to help support people who are in the same position I was in. I've always run from a young age starting in Primary school and competed for my secondary school and Sussex which started my running journey and then joined my athletics club Brighton Phoenix when I was 13."

He continued his story, reflecting on his earlier achievements, "Things progressed and I won the English Schools championships for sussex when I was 18 years old over 1500m which kickstarted my athletics career and from there went onto compete for Great Britain multiple times with my best performance making the final at the European Indoor Championships and finishing 8th place but unfortunately not long after that I suffered a bad injury to my ankle which required surgery."

Delving into the challenges he faced afterwards, he added, "I couldn't get back to the same level of competition and that drove me over the edge mentally which spiralled into psychosis."

In an honourable gesture, his father, Robin, is set to take up the mantle and run in his stead on April 6 next year. The athletics club, Brighton Phoenix, shared their support: "To honour his wishes, we invite those who are able to consider donating to his chosen cause in his memory."