COLIN JACKSON

Edited transcript of the Live Chat with Colin Jackson, on the 12th April 2002.

Interviewer: Tonight we are chatting to to Colin Jackson - World Record holder in the 110m hurdles. Hi Colin, how are you and where are you chatting from tonight?
Colin Jackson: Hi I am very well, and it's very nice to be in Brisbane - absolutely lovely weather.... and I've just finished some sushi, and I'm sitting on the bed with a cup of tea!

Interviewer: How does it feel to be the world record holder and how long do you think you will be able to keep it for?
Colin Jackson: I think it's very special to be that one single person who's run faster than everybody else, in their chosen sport! I definitely hope to improve it this year too! :)

Interviewer: Nicole: At what age did your career start?
Colin Jackson: I really started running, competitively, when I was 6 - and that was for my school - we used to compete against other schools in South Wales, that's the old South Wales, not the new one... LOL I always tried to do my best :)

Interviewer: Nicole: You're 35, how long do you expect to continue to hurdle?
Colin Jackson: I'm only going to hurdle for 2 more seasons I think.

Interviewer: zOmBiE^: Why hurdles Colin? Is it a story like Forrest Gump where you used to get chased?? So you had to run fast and jump stuff???
Colin Jackson: LOL... No - I could always run fast, and I could always jump well so the hurdles seemed to be a natural thing to do. I actually started hurdling late - at 15 - in the meantime (between 6 & 15) I also was throwing the javelin, and doing the long jump in between... always a hyperactive child! :)

Interviewer: Lisa: What would you say the highlight of your running career is so far?
Colin Jackson: You know, people always ask me that - and they're always surprised with my answer... I always say winning my very first world junior title - many years ago - back in 1986, and that was definitely my most satisfying and rewarding win! I think because you're so young, and winning that title set up the whole of my career - it gave me the belief I could win!

Interviewer: Do you maintain a special diet when you are preparing for a major competition?
Colin Jackson: Yes! You know, I eat more sweets - and it's chocolate! LOL Every night before I race you eat 150gm of chocolate - always the night before, not during the day, but the night before.... that builds up my carbohydrate levels, 'cos most of the time I have a very low carbohydrate diet!

Interviewer: Nicole: Does it hurt you if a hurdle falls or is it more hurt pride?
Colin Jackson: Oh... I think it's a bit of both - I'm a bit of a perfectionist - so it hurts the pride, and when the knee and the ankle is swollen as well - it certainly hurts the body... LOL

Interviewer: Beyond200m: How have injuries impacted your career and motivation?
Colin Jackson: Success is the thing that motivates me - and every time I have a big injury - my previous successes and the memory of them, always pulls me through injury. I've had 7 knee operations, and one achilles tendon injury - which really slowed my career in many years...

Interviewer: zOmBiE^: So what are you in Australia for???? Are you here to race or promote something?
Colin Jackson: No, I'm here to A) enter some competitions, and B) prepare for the Commonwealth Games.

Interviewer: Beyond200m: You've specialised on the 110m Hurdles as you've got older has 400mH been an option
Colin Jackson: Never! LOL I've always decided I'll go down the distance before I go up... at home you can do 60m hurdle on the indoor circuit - and that is far more encouraging for me, than to move up to 400m

Interviewer: Kevin-is-drunk-: I heard you took up boxing, am I right?
Colin Jackson: No - I've never taken up boxing... my Mum wouldn't let me!

Interviewer: Spunky_Devil: Hey Colin Jackson - what was your world record time and how do you keep so fit?
Colin Jackson: 12.91 is my world record! And I look after myself well... general good living!

Interviewer: Lisa: Do you feel the best of your career is yet to come?
Colin Jackson: I haven't found perfection yet - and even though I'm world record holder, I still think I can look for that perfect race.

Interviewer: Nicole: Who do you consider your toughest opponent?
Colin Jackson: Ooohh goodness gracious :) Well, because my career's been so long, there's numerous people I think were fairly tough competitors... a guy called Roger Kingdom in the US - he could always finish the race very strongly. And a guy called Mark McCoy - 'cos he can start the race so quickly... and there's the current world champion - who won the championships last year - Alan Johnson - who does everything very well.. LOL

Interviewer: Beyond200m: If there was one technique tip you could give a young hurdler what would it be?
Colin Jackson: Always use your trail leg - it's the most important!

Interviewer: Do you find it hard to focus when you have a crowd of people cheering for you and the other people racing?
Colin Jackson: I do actually! It's quite funny - 'cos people who are supporting and encouraging you, by shouting your name - actually draws your focus away from what you're trying to do... so it's really hard when people are actually calling your name! LOL Because really, you should be focusing on the race! So save your cheers for after when I win... LOL

Interviewer: Where do you train and do you train with any other hurdlers?
Colin Jackson: My coach in England won't let me train with the rest of the training group, because I distract them - LOL - it doesn't allow them to concentrate on their own training.... so I'm only allowed to do a few training sessions with the rest of them!

Interviewer: You came 5th at Sydney, What happened? and, what did you think of the facilities and grounds there compared to others you have attended?
Colin Jackson: Even though in Sydney - I performed badly (for myself) - the main cause of that was I was injured most of the year, so I ddidn't prepare properly. Usually before a major championship, I would have approximately 22 races... as in Sydney - I had 6! So, that was why my performance was a little bit lax there.... But taking the performance off - the Games were the best I've been to! I've been to 3 others prior to Sydney, and this one was definitely the best!

Interviewer: Will you be competing at the next Commonwealth Games and if so, how do you rate your chances?
Colin Jackson: Yeah, I'll definitely be at the Commonwealth Games at Manchester - it's almost home territory - about 20 miles away from Wales - so there should be lots of Welsh supporters! And, it's only got to be Gold!!! LOL Sorry Kyle... lol ;)

Interviewer: Beyond200m: What do you consider the 'ideal' conditions for racing
Colin Jackson: For me, I would say - wind speed about +1, and temperature of about 26 degrees.... good temperature to warm up, and then take a 15 minute break - and you're still warm and ready to go!

Interviewer: What country as the "ideal racing conditions" for you personally?
Colin Jackson: Central Europe - anywhere in Central Europe in the Summer (July/August)... Central Germany & Italy... they seem to be the best - with hardly any wind as well.

Interviewer: Nicole: Colin do you get to party ?
Colin Jackson: Yes - I get to party... I get to party alot - lots of invitations to go to lots of interesting places and parties, so it's great!

Interviewer: Kevin-resting-: What gives you good luck?
Colin Jackson: Yeah, I always believed you need a little bit of luck... I mean, you need luck to stay in shape with all the training you do - to make sure your body doesn't break down! :) So if you get away with it - the performance is easy! LOL

Interviewer: Are you married/have children, do you miss your family when your travelling?
Colin Jackson: No I don't - I'm not married, and I don't have children, but I do miss all the kids that are around me - lots of my friends have children, and I spend alot of time with them at home. I miss their 'childrenisms'... if you know what I mean!

Interviewer: Lisa: Do you ever get sick of traveling so much and what are your plans after you finish your athletics career?
Colin Jackson: I never get sick of travelling - it's one of the huge perks of my job, and it's great... you stay in beautiful hotels all over the world, meet great people - and after I retire - I just hope I can afford to continue doing this! LOL

Interviewer: Do you get to do much sight seeing when your visiting other countries? From a tourist point of view how do you rate "Good old Oz"
Colin Jackson: Australia is brilliant!!! I always wonder why we have so many Australians in England... it doesn't make any sense to me... why someone would want to come over here where it's grey and miserable - when you've got everything you've got over here.... so I guess that sums up how I feel about Australia! :) And we don't have much time to sightsee unfortunately!

Interviewer: Skitzmix02: When did you become successful, and how many awards have you won?
Colin Jackson: I won my first Commonwealth Games silver medal in 1986! And I've just been winning 'em every year ever since - and sometimes 2 or 3 in a year! lol

Interviewer: Colin thank you very much for taking the time to talk to us tonight, good luck at the Brisbane games and at the next Commonwealth Games.
Colin Jackson: IF anybody's in Brisbane, I race Saturday and Sunday - it'll be a good show.... but don't cheer till I've finished! LOL :) CYA later!