Sporting Heroes : Colin Jackson

Colin Jackson - British hurdler

The best 110m hurdler of his generation, Jackson spent a remarkable 17 years at the top of the athletics world until his retirement in 2003. Hailing from Cardiff, he was a huge star in Wales when I was growing up. His world record time of 12:91 (set in the final of the world championships in 1993) stood until 2006, and he still holds the indoor 60m hurdles world record, set in 1994.

A gold medalist at two world championships, two commonwealth games and four European championships, Jackson never quite enjoyed the same success at the olympics - a silver in Seoul his solitary medal. But I have great memories of warm summer nights watching Jackson and Linford Christie dominate European grand prix meets.