After 62 years of painting athletes, AW’s longtime artist is retiring
At first glance, Trevor Burton’s attempt to set the British men’s pole vault record in May 1962 might not seem to rank highly in terms of athletics moments.However, that day at London’s Tooting Bec marked the start of another skillfully captured and chronicled career is nearly all of the most important performances in recent sports history.
The cover of that match featured an image of Burton in action May 19 edition Athletics Weekly. The man who painted? Some Mark Shearman. It was the first time the avid runner had seen one of his pictures grace the cover of this magazine, but it certainly wouldn’t be the last.
Now, after 62 years behind the lens, covering 14 Olympics, every world championship except Eugene 2022 and countless other events both international and in between, the world-renowned photographer has decided to call it a day.
There are few top athletes, certainly from British shores, who haven’t caught Shearman’s camera at every stage of their careers, and the 81-year-old, whose work has been published around the world, is retiring with an encyclopedic archive of athletic images.
Being awarded an MBE by the Queen for her services to sports photography ten years ago is one of her most prized achievements, while the 2012 Olympics in her native London is at the top of her list when it comes to the exhaustive list of events she has covered;
Kelly Holmes (Mark Shearman)
Shearman’s last assignment, it turns out, was the English Cross Country Relays at Mansfield late last year AW: In 2021, he told me. “In 1962 my twin brother, who was a pretty good runner and ran for Wimbledon Athletics Club, said to me, Why don’t you come and take a few photos?’
“The athlete’s name was Trevor Burton from Stoke AC. I went and took a couple of pictures, one of which was him going over the bar. My brother said, “There is a magazine Athletics Weekly. Why don’t you send them? They might be interested.” That was the first picture I sent to the magazine, and they printed it on the cover.
“I thought. “It was easy, let’s continue on this path. Of course, I quickly learned that it wasn’t always easy, but that’s how it started. I didn’t look back.”
Daley Thompson (Mark Shearman)
Shearman, a 2:48 marathoner at his peak, began honing his craft and became a fixture on the track and in track and field, not to mention his work at major auto races.After leaving school, he began working for himself in 1972.
Tokyo 1964 was his first Olympic Games, and although he had no credentials either there or in Mexico 1968, he still masterfully photographed the action from various points in the stands.
“It can be like a battle plan,” he said of how he approaches his work and chooses which events are most important.”
Mary Rand (Mark Shearman)
As Shearman says, when it came to the shot he wanted. “I didn’t get a second chance. In the eight years leading up to London 2012, every time I drove past the stadium under construction, I was physically sick with anxiety knowing I had to perform when the Games stopped : Those are the only games I’ve ever felt like, “It’s the home games, I have to show up with good pictures.” and I guess that obviously helped.
“I have to give a speech. They run 10 seconds and that’s it. I have to perform eight hours a day for seven, eight, ten days straight, so it’s quite demanding and I don’t think a lot of people appreciate that.”
However, appreciation for his work is widespread, and Shearman will be most missed by the athletes and officials, many of whom he considered good friends.
“It’s very satisfying when you get the right shot,” he added. “It’s even more satisfying when you get the shot you plan to take.”
On that basis, he retires with a lifetime of satisfaction to remember.
Tribute…
Sebastian Coe – Two-time Olympic 1500m champion and World Athletics President
For me and all the other leading British sportsmen of the last 50 years, Mark Shearman has been a constant, the man behind the camera, capturing many of the highlights of our lives were we in anonymity or dancing under the lights paraphrasing Muhammad Ali?
The measure of a great sports photographer is not only the ability to capture the moment, but also the emotion, and Mark has mastered that art.Our sport is extremely fortunate to have his lens firmly focused on us.
Mark, congratulations on an outstanding career, I am very grateful for your contribution to my own career and our sport.
Seb Coe wins in 1984 (Mark Shearman)
Paula Radcliffe – Former marathon world record holder and broadcaster
Mark photographed my wedding. I’m sure it was a different challenge for him than the usual acts. It was nice to have a friendly face we knew behind the camera though. I’m trying to remember when I first met Mark and I can’t seem to he’s always been there. It’s always been great to see his reassuring presence on the field or on the truck as I progress from the English Schools to the World Juniors and the Senior World Championships and the Olympics with my scrapbook, his name keeps appearing in photo captions.
Of course I treasure the race photos, but also the great footage Mark shared after the race with my coach Alex and his wife, my teammates and of course my parents and family.
Paula Radcliffe (Mark Shearman)
Catherine Merry – Olympic medalist and broadcaster
It’s going to be a very different environment when Mark isn’t walking around with his camera because I just don’t know an athletics stadium without him. He’s going to be sorely missed.
Some of the most treasured pictures of my track and field career have been taken by him and what he has given to the sport, not to mention how he has told so many stories through his lens, is simply phenomenal.
Catherine Merry (Mark Shearman)
Jeff Wightman – coach, broadcaster and former international marathon runner
There will never be another like “The Shearmanator.” His passing leaves a void in our sport that cannot be filled. No one else will cover 14 Olympics behind the lens.
Mark is now in his third generation photographing some of the athletics families and for seven decades has been a familiar and beloved figure on the side of the road, on the side of the road and especially in the wet and windy intersections.
You can recognize Shearman’s photography after a while. They are always well-designed, clearly capturing the essence of the action and always showing the spirit and energy of our sport. This is true even before the advent of motorized discs and digital image processing. Mark was always on the receiving end that shot
His photo archive will serve the sport well for many years to come and we look forward to seeing him at athletics events and a cup of fruit to accompany lunch at Denbies Park.Congratulations and thanks, old boy.
Maricka Puika and Wendy Sly (Mark Shearman)
Wendy Sly – Olympic medalist and CEO of AW
Mark has been in my life for the 50 odd years I have been involved in athletics, first as a young athlete running cross country, international and Olympic track, then in my time working for UK Athletics as a team manager and now on the board. We have also worked together for a long time in the publishing world, first at Athletics Today and more recently in my role as AW of MD.
At AW, we’re constantly looking at Mark and his back catalog for images, whether they’re of young athletes, iconic images from days gone by, or poignant images that capture the best moments of a passing athlete.
A familiar figure on the field and at the finish lines in mud, rain, wind and sun, Mark will be missed by many in the sport past and present.
Have a great retirement, especially the extra time you’ll have to enjoy your favorite coffee and cake. It’s totally worth it.
Jack Buckner (Mark Shearman)
Jack Buckner – former European 5000m champion and CEO of UKA
Mark Shearman has been a great presence at the stadiums throughout my athletic life. Just like generations of athletes, Mark Shearman has been on my wall and in my photo album. He has photographed almost every moment of athletic significance for more years than I can remember : More importantly, he is a wonderful person with great passion and affection for our sport. His photo library is a treasure trove of athletics and helps us today develop sports. Enjoy your retirement sign. we’ll miss you running around the stadium, but your many sports friends will stay in touch.
Said Aouita and Dave Moorcroft (Mark Shearman)
Dave Moorcroft – former 5000m world record holder and former CEO of UKA
Mark is and always will be a star of our sport. For many, many years his passion for athletics at all levels has shone through in his photography. will be missed, he was also equally committed to local and grassroots competitions at all levels.
Thank you Mark, you have helped tell the story of thousands of athletes over the years and we will always appreciate your work.
» The above feature was first published in the December issue of AW Magazine, which is out now.Subscribe to AW Magazine herecheck out our new podcast! here or subscribe to our digital archive of back issues from 1945 to the present day here
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