Olympics superfan who spent every day of the Games watching events live dies of suspected heart attack at the velodrome
Conrad Readman, 49, spent months buying tickets to see every day of the London Olympics
The chartered accountant from Colchester had watched up to three sports a day during the first week and had seen Tom Daley, Rebecca Adlington and Michael Phelps in action
Died at the Velodrome after seeing Victoria Pendleton and the British team sprint trio win gold on Friday
By Adam Shergold
A 'superfan' who scoured the globe for tickets so he could see every day of the London Olympics died of a suspected heart attack after watching cycling at the velodrome.
Sports fanatic Conrad Readman, 49, from Colchester, had taken two weeks off to see as much of the Games as possible, including the Opening Ceremony and many of Team GB's gold medal moments.
But he was taken ill as he watched Victoria Pendleton and the men's team pursuit trio take gold on Friday night.
Olympic 'superfan' Conrad Readman, 49, pictured here at the Beach Volleyball venue at Horse Guards Parade. Mr Readman, from Colchester, died of a suspected heart attack at the cycling Velodrome on Friday night
Mr Readman, a chartered accountant, had seen up to three sports a day during the first week of the London Olympics. He is pictured here at the basketball arena
Mr Readman suffered a suspected heart attack about the same time Victoria Pendleton (left) was winning gold for Great Britain in the Keirin. He had just witnesses Sir Chris Hoy win gold in the men's Team Sprint track cycling final
The chartered accountant, who lived with and cared for his mother Joan, was discovered in toilets at the venue and is believed to have died from a heart attack.
Mr Readman had watched up to three sports each day since the start of the Olympics on July 27 and had seen Tom Daley, Rebecca Adlington and Michael Phelps in action.
He was at the canoe slalom when Etienne Stott and Tim Baillie won gold for Great Britain.
His mother Joan said: 'He had been looking forward to it ever since it was announced.
'There was never a day he was not excited about it and he got tickets for the whole fortnight.
'He was coming home every night so excited and telling me about everything he had done.
'He was as good as gold and never any trouble. He would help anybody. He loved watching a lot of sport and I am so very proud of him.'
Mr Readman in Team GB attire at the rowing at Eton Dorney on the second day the Olympics
He had scoured ticket websites around the world in order to attend every day of the London Olympics, including this visit to the Handball On Friday night officers from the Metropolitan Police broke the tragic news to her about her 49-year-old son. She said: 'My neighbour came and held my hand and they told me he had a heart attack at the Olympics. 'He had never had a problem with his heart and had not been to a doctor in 15 years. 'he died doing something he loved so I am happy he was where he was but I can't watch any of it now. 'I had it all on all day but I can't bear it now and don't want to see anymore. I have turned the television off and cancelled all the papers.'
Enjoying the panoramic views of the Olympic Park from the top of the Orbit
With BBC Sports presenter Chris Hollins in the Olympic Park
With BBC Sports presenter Chris Hollins in the Olympic Park
Mr Readman, who had bought tickets from websites all around the world to build-up his Olympic diary, had seen 16 different sports as well as the Opening Ceremony.
His father Dennis died 19 years ago, leaving him to look after his mum.
Employer and friend Tim Peyton said: 'I have worked with him since 1982 and am shocked.
'He was a lynchpin for us. Clients and staff liked him. He will be sorely missed by all of us.'
Mr Readman had tweeted prodigiously about his experiences during the Games. His profile describes him as a Tottenham Hotspur fan, a movie buff and a music fan of almost all genres.
He had tweeted that it was a privilege to see Michael Phelps make Olympic history by winning an 18th gold medal and admitted to blubbing when Stott and Baillie won gold in the canoe slalom.
On Friday - which he described as an 'epic day' - Mr Readman said 'there will be tears' when Pendleton and the team sprinters win gold.
But he died before Pendleton won her race.
A spokesman for the London Ambulance Service said: 'At 6.13pm on Friday August 3, the London Ambulance Service was called to the Olympic Park at Stratford to a man who had collapsed.
'Extensive efforts were made to resuscitate the patient both at the scene and on the way to hospital.
'The man later died in hospital.'
LOCOG have declined to comment on the death and a Met Police spokeswoman said the incident was not being treated as suspicious
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