Athletics hero Colin Jackson appeared to be taking advantage of the January sales to indulge in a little retail therapy in London over the weekend. The former Olympic hurdler, who recently wowed TV audiences with his fancy footwork on the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing, hit the stores in the British capital with a chum.
These days the hunky former 110m hurdler, who had been given odds of 5/2 to win in the celebrity soft shoe shuffle but in the end lost out to ex-England cricketer Darren Gough, is busy helping nurture the next generation of British sportsmen and women.
And with 23 major championship medals under his belt, as well as the title of world record holder, Colin, who retired from athletics in 2003, makes for an impressive role model for would-be Olympians. Currently the patron of a scheme designed to produce athletes with the potential to run in the London 2012 Olympics, the 38-year-old Welshman believes Britain hosting the Games will help boost interest in sport in the UK.
"I think a London Olympic Games will benefit our young athletes enormously," he explains, adding that he finds his involvement with youngsters very exciting. "I always hope that I've left them with something and if I get through to one or two of them then my job is done," he says.
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