Ex-coach and BBC Sport commentator Dan Topolski dies, aged 69

Former Oxford rowing coach and BBC Sport commentator Daniel Topolski has died today, aged 69.

Topolski coached the famous university team from 1973 to 1987, during which time he won 12 varsity boat races, including 10 in a row, before he joined the BBC.

Topolski won the 1990 William Hill Sports' Book of the Year award for his account of the 1987 boat race, which Oxford won despite five of their team walking out just six weeks before.

Five-time Olympic gold medallist Sir Steve Redgrave said: "Rowing will miss him dearly, and so will I."

The BBC said that Topolski died after a long period of ill health.