Geoff Capes, twice the world’s strongest man and a three-time Olympian, has died aged 75, British Athletics has announced.

The athlete, who was born in Lincolnshire and worked as a coalman, farm labourer and policeman before turning to sport, won Commonwealth shot put gold in 1974 and 1978 and was crowned World’s Strongest Man in 1983 and 1985.

He set the British record with a 21.68m throw in 1980, which remains the best ever ratified, and also enjoyed success at the European indoor athletics championships in the previous decade, claiming two golds, three silvers and a bronze.

He was also a contestant on the BBC’s Superstars TV programme.

In a statement, British Athletics said it was “saddened to hear the news of former British shot putter, Geoff Capes’s passing”.

“Our condolences go out to his family and friends at this time.”

A statement from Capes’s family said: “The family of Geoffrey Capes would like to announce his sad passing today, 23 October.

“Britain’s finest shot-putter and twice world’s strongest man.”

Capes was born in 1949 in Holbeach, Lincolnshire, the seventh of nine children. A talented sportsman, he represented his county at a number of sports including football and cross country, before going to work as a coalman and a farm labourer.

He later followed his grandfather, uncle and older brothers into the police force, joining Cambridgeshire Constabulary in 1970.

Capes represented Great Britain at the 1972 and 1976 Summer Olympics while serving in the force.

But he resigned ahead of the 1980 Games in Moscow, after he refused to support Margaret Thatcher’s call for a boycott. He finished fifth, his best Olympics performance.

Capes later turned to strongman competitions, winning world titles in 1983 and 1985 and starring in the hugely popular Superstars TV programme on the BBC.

He also found unlikely fame as a renowned budgie breeder, eventually becoming president of the Budgerigar Society in 2008.

Fellow World’s Strongest Man winner Eddie Hall, who won in 2017, paid tribute to Capes by saying he was a “true legend of strength”.

“Not only was Geoff a two-time World’s Strongest Man and a record-breaking shot-putter, but he was also a giant in heart and spirit,” said Hall.

“He paved the way for athletes like me, showing that British grit and determination could conquer the world.

“Geoff was an inspiration to so many of us growing up, a man whose incredible achievements and character left a lasting mark on the strength community.

“His legacy will continue to inspire the next generation of strongmen and athletes around the world.

“Rest easy, big man. You’ll always be remembered as one of the greatest.”