Ex-Team GB star dies aged 28 as tributes pour in to ‘most cherished’ athlete
Robbie Fitzgibbon, the former British international middle-distance runner, has died at the age of 28. His club, Brighton Phoenix, confirmed that he passed away on October 7.
Fitzgibbon was recognized as a standout at the junior level and finished 13th in the 1500m at the London Anniversary Games in 2017, where he also achieved a personal best of 3:36:97 in Nijmegen that summer. He competed at the European Indoor Championships in Glasgow in 2019 before suffering a serious injury. Earlier this year, he disclosed that he had been diagnosed with psychosis, a serious mental illness, in 2022 while preparing for the upcoming Brighton Marathon to raise funds for the charity Mind.
“It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of one of our most cherished athletes, Robbie Fitzgibbon,” stated the Brighton Phoenix board in a message penned 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.”
“Though Robbie will no longer run alongside us, share his stories, or lift our spirits with his humor 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, medaling in the County Cross Country Champs at Goodwood where he started his club running career, and running the 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 teammate, and an irreplaceable part of our Phoenix family.”
Jake Wightman, the two-time British champion and Olympian, paid tribute on Instagram, saying, “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.”
Fitzgibbon shared on his Just Giving page that he was diagnosed with psychosis in 2022 after struggling to return to elite competition following an ankle injury that required surgery. He wrote, “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 & help raise awareness and also raise some money to 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, “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 on to compete for Great Britain multiple times, with my best performance making the final at the European Indoor Championships and finishing 8th place. Unfortunately, not long after that, I suffered a bad injury to my ankle which required surgery. I couldn’t get back to the same level of competition, and that drove me over the edge mentally, which spiraled into psychosis.”
His father, Robin, will run in his place on April 6 next year. Brighton Phoenix added, “To honor his wishes, we invite those who are able to consider donating to his chosen cause in his memory.”
