Maurie Plant died in December 2020. His demise got here as a shock to a lot of his pals, admirers, and household. Maurie Plant was one of many true characters of the game. A broadcaster, a coach, an athlete’s supervisor, a confidante, and a mentor, Maurie Plant influenced the game for 5 a long time. After I started my international sojourns, Maurie was one of many first those that I met.
After I had a troublesome story to write down, and I used to be working to supply an appreciation of a sophisticated topic, many occasions, I might name Maurie for recommendation. In 2017, once I was spending time on the European circuit, I recall a couple of dinners in London with Maurie and our band of pals, discussing our sport.
Maurie Plant went to nice lengths to assist me perceive the complexity of the game. He didn’t conceal the powerful stuff, he was fairly rattling simple when he needed to be. And he knew how one can put a state of affairs in perspective. Maurie Plant was one in every of my “Eager Observers”, my means of claiming that I spoke to somebody with data of a state of affairs for background.
I miss Maurie, for his friendship, his humor, and his absolute love of the game. In April 2018, I had coronary heart surgical procedure and didn’t journey once more till the US Champs in June 2018, and NYC Marathon within the fall of 2018. The World Champs in 2019 was a problem for me, with the warmth, however with my son, Adam, serving to me, I used to be capable of get round.
I needed those that didn’t have the privilege of understanding Maurie Plant to listen to this splendid evaluation of the World Championships in Beijing. This was recorded in August 2015 and I play it once I wish to hear my good friend’s voice.
I’m so glad that the Maurie Plant Assembly was held at present, February 23, 2023. Maurie would have preferred the meet. Some high quality showings by his nation folks. Fred Kerley carried out nicely too, giving the viewers one thing to take pleasure in!
Unique put up, August 2015
Maurie Plant is a long-time sports activities broadcaster from the BBC. He’s additionally a long-time mentor of many Australian athletes. I’m lucky to additionally observe that Maurie is each mentor and a good friend.
Maurie is a eager observer of the game. He understands how our sport is roofed and the way it needs to be lined. He additionally is likely one of the best storytellers of all time. It is likely one of the qualities that makes him a high quality broadcaster. Maurie Plant has been the eyes and ears of a number of generations of worldwide sports activities followers.
Close to the tip of the World Champs in Beijing, I sat down with Maurie to debate what he noticed as key moments within the 2015 World Championships. Whenever you take heed to this audio interview, you’ll discover Maurie’s commentary abilities: he will get it. We did the audio in a single take, and his abilities as a broadcaster could be heard and appreciated on this interview.
I needed to get this up over the vacation to present us one thing to contemplate concerning the championships in Beijing. It was my second time in China and an exquisite World Championships. Having Maurie Plant to examine in with made it much more spectacular.