British Para Table Tennis mourns the loss of its inspirational and beloved Performance Director Gorazd Vecko MBE, who has passed away at the age of 53.
The son of former world and European table tennis champion Edvard Vecko, he coached Mateja Pintar to win Slovenia’s first Paralympic gold medal in table tennis at Athens 2004 and was recruited by British Para Table Tennis in 2009 after a disappointing result for the British team at the Beijing Paralympic Games. He proved an inspired choice and will be remembered as one of the most influential figures in Para table tennis as a coach, administrator and visionary.
Vecko transformed the British Para Table Tennis programme, establishing a high-quality base in Sheffield and introducing a ‘family culture’ that enabled athletes to flourish and reach their potential. Under his leadership, the British team took a major step forward, winning four medals at London 2012 and three at Rio 2016, including gold for Will Bayley (men’s Class 7 singles) and Rob Davies (men’s Class 1 singles).
At Tokyo 2020 the team achieved seven medals, marking the most successful Paralympic Games in modern times, and this was followed by five medals at Paris 2024.
Vecko served as Tournament Director for the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) for Para events from 2009-2015 and was appointed to the ITTF Para Committee in 2021. He was also Vice President of Table Tennis England and was awarded an Honorary Member of the British Empire (MBE) by His Majesty King Charles III in 2023 for his services to British Para Table Tennis.
“We are beyond heartbroken and have lost a dear friend and the soul of our sport,” said BPTT President Adele Stach-Kevitz. “Gorazd Vecko was our own legend; a man of such a humble nature, but blessed with talent that he was always eager to share. A gigantic personality and leader and the beating heart of our British para-table tennis family.”
A devoted family man, Vecko is survived by his father Edvard, mother Zlata, wife Sabina, children Pia and Alex and grandchildren Zara and Filip.
#Para #table #tennis #mourns #legend #Gorazd #Vecko #Table #Tennis #England