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Colin Ray Jackson, CBE (born 18 February 1967) is a Welsh former sprint and hurdling athlete who specialised in the 110 metres hurdles. During a career in which he represented Great Britain and Wales, he won an Olympic silver medal,[2] became world champion twice, world indoor champion once, was undefeated at the European Championships for 12 years and was twice Commonwealth champion. His world record of 12.91 seconds for the 110 m hurdles stood for nearly 13 years and his 60 metres hurdles world record stood for nearly 27 years.[3]

Key Information

Biography

[edit]

Jackson won his first major medal, a silver, in the 110 m hurdles, aged 19 at the 1986 Commonwealth Games. He soon established himself on the global scene, taking bronze at the 1987 World Championships in Athletics and a silver medal at the 1988 Summer Olympics. After winning another silver in the 60 m hurdles at the 1989 IAAF World Indoor Championships, he won European and Commonwealth gold medals in 1990. The 1993 season saw him reach the pinnacle of his sport: after a silver at the 1993 Indoor Worlds, he set a world record of 12.91 seconds to become the 1993 World Champion. This record was unbeaten for almost 13 years and remains the world championship record. Jackson was part of the British 4 × 100 metres relay team which won the world silver medal.

This period was Jackson's most successful: he had a streak of 44 races undefeated between 1993 and 1995. In addition to European and Commonwealth golds outdoors in 1994, he set another world record, running 7.30 seconds in the 60 m hurdles. A double gold at the 1994 European Athletics Indoor Championships in the 60 m hurdles and sprint events saw him set a European record of 6.49 seconds over 60 m. Injury affected his 1995–1996 seasons and he finished only fourth at the 1996 Olympics. He returned to competition in 1997 and took silver twice – at the Indoor World Championships and the World Outdoors. After winning the European Championships for a third consecutive time in 1998 he became indoor and outdoor World champion in 1999. He finished fifth at the 2000 Summer Olympics and his last major medals came in 2002, taking European indoor and outdoor gold and a Commonwealth silver.

After a period of sports management and coaching, he now works as a sports commentator for athletics and as a television presenter (predominantly for the BBC). He is a well-known face on British television, having been on Strictly Come Dancing in 2005, as well as a number of other entertainment and factual TV programmes.

Early life

[edit]

Jackson, born in Cardiff, South Wales, is of Jamaican and Panamanian descent. A DNA test indicated his ancestry is mostly African and European with some North American Indigenous ancestry, suggesting descent from Jamaican Maroons and Taínos. Genealogical research shows his mixed-race Panamanian-born mother had Scottish ancestry.[4] He is the brother of actress Suzanne Packer who played Tess Bateman in the BBC One hospital drama Casualty. Jackson grew up in Birchgrove, attending Springwood Primary School and then Llanedeyrn High School. He played football and cricket for the county and rugby union and basketball for his school and joined the athletics club Birchgrove Harriers, which nurtured his talent. As captain of his school cricket team, he and four team-mates were invited to trials for the Welsh national cricket team: whilst his team-mates were all picked, Jackson was passed over – he attributed this to racism, and has said it resulted in him quitting the sport and focusing on athletics, as "athletics had more people that looked like me".[5] Jackson has also stated he felt discriminated against by British Athletics for selections and sponsorship. He said: "I felt the discrimination was because I was Welsh more than anything else."[6]

Athletics career

[edit]

Under coach and close friend Malcolm Arnold, Jackson started out as a promising decathlete before switching to high hurdles. He won gold at the 1986 World Junior Championships and he soon switched to the senior ranks. Following a silver medal in the 1986 Commonwealth Games, he won the 110 m hurdles silver at the 1988 Olympic Games behind Roger Kingdom. Although his career as an active competitor in the event would last a further fifteen years, the last ten of these as world record holder, and see him twice crowned World Champion, twice Commonwealth Champion and four times European Champion, this would remain his only Olympic medal of any colour. In 1992 he eased through his first round heat in 13.10 s (which proved faster than the gold medal-winning time) but was restricted by an injury he picked up during the next round and could only finish seventh in the final, and in 1996 he came fourth and in 2000, fifth.

He set his world record for the 110 metres hurdles on 20 August 1993, winning his first World Championships gold medal in Stuttgart, Germany in 12.91 s. The new mark (also a championship record) shaved 0.01 s off the previous record held by Kingdom and stood for nearly thirteen years, only being equalled by Liu Xiang in the 2004 Summer Olympics and finally beaten by the same man on 11 July 2006 at the Super Grand Prix in Lausanne with a time of 12.88 s. Jackson remained the sole holder of the indoor world record at the 60 metres hurdles with a time of 7.30 seconds set in Sindelfingen, Germany on 6 March 1994 until February 2021. At the 1994 European Indoor Championships he became a double European champion: winning in both the 60 metres hurdles and 60 metres sprint race as well. His 60 m dash time of 6.49 s was a European record, as well as a championship record. These records remained unbeaten for 5 years, when Jason Gardener ran 6.46 s in 1999 in Maebashi, Japan.

Jackson at the 2007 European Cup

The aforementioned achievements coincided with one of the high points of Jackson's career: he was unbeaten between 29 August 1993 and 9 February 1995. He won forty-four races consecutively in this period.[7] His winning time at the 1994 Commonwealth Games was a Commonwealth Games record.

Jackson was a master of the "dip" – the skill of leaning forward at the end of a race to advance the position of the shoulders and improve times (and potentially positions). He was also renowned for being a particularly fast starter, which led to a great deal of success in 60 m events. Jackson's technical hurdling ability distinguished him from his peers whether they were faster than him or not.[citation needed]

He was the subject of controversy in 1998 when he decided to run for cash in Tokyo, Japan, rather than compete in the Commonwealth Games for Wales.

Six years after his first world title, Jackson regained his 110 m hurdles crown at the 1999 Seville World Championships. This was to be his last gold medal at the very highest level, but he added a final, fourth successive European Championships gold in the 2002 Munich European Championships, extending an unbroken reign as European Champion stretching back to 1990.

Post-retirement career

[edit]
Jackson at the 2007 Highland Games

Since ending his athletics career at the 2003 World Indoor Championships[8] Jackson has been involved in numerous endeavours, in athletics and other areas. He coached his close friend the swimmer Mark Foster until Foster's retirement in April 2016. He has coached two of Wales best Olympic prospects, 400 m runner Timothy Benjamin and 400 m hurdler Rhys Williams. He was also one of the members of the successful London 2012 Olympic bid team and is a key member of the BBC's televisions athletics coverage. However, he started his broadcasting career in 2004 by co-hosting, with Sally Gunnell, the BBC reality TV programme Born to Win.

Already the holder of the MBE that he received in 1990 for his services to athletics, in 2000 he was promoted to OBE and then in 2003 to a CBE.[9][10]

The English reggae band Aswad name-checked him on their 1994 hit song "Shine": Him a floating like a butterfly, the hurdling man – Yes, me-a-chat about Colin Jackson.[citation needed]

Jackson has written three books: the first, The Young Track and Field Athlete, was published in March 1996 by Dorling Kindersley;[11] his second, Colin Jackson: The Autobiography, was published in April 2004 by BBC Books;[12] and his last, Life's New Hurdles, was published in March 2008 by Accent Press Ltd as part of the Quick Reads Initiative.[13]

Since 2014 Jackson has been the race director of the Wings for Life World Run.[14][15]

In December 2018 it was announced that Jackson was to become Chancellor of Wrexham Glyndŵr University.[16][17]

In July 2022 he participated in the Commonwealth Games Queen's Baton Relay, carrying the baton into Basildon Sporting Village.[18][19]

Media career

[edit]

After retiring from athletics, he became the face of BBC Raise Your Game with Colin Jackson in which he talked to high-profile international stars about the importance of learning. Participants included Luol Deng, Jenson Button, Davina McCall, and stars from Strictly Come Dancing, to name but a few.

His work as a BBC athletics commentator and pundit began with the 2004 Athens Olympics. Since then he has been a regular member of the BBC team covering athletics events.[20] In this role he has worked on six Summer Olympic Games: 2004 in Athens, 2008 in Beijing, 2012 in London, 2016 in Rio, 2020 in Tokyo and 2024 in Paris.[21][22][23][24][25][26] He has also worked on five Commonwealth Games: as a roving reporter at 2006 in Melbourne and as a pundit and commentator at 2010 in Delhi, 2014 in Glasgow, 2018 in Gold Coast and 2022 in Birmingham.[27][28][29][30][31] In addition, Jackson worked as a roving reporter for the BBC's coverage of the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin.[32]

He is a Director of multimedia production company Red Shoes, along with fellow Director and former BBC Executive Producer Richard Owen. Their clients include the IAAF and UEFA.

Jackson at a charity event in 2005

Jackson, who is of Jamaican descent, was the subject of an episode of the BBC TV genealogy series Who Do You Think You Are?,[33] broadcast in the UK on 20 September 2006. Genetic tests showed his ancestry to be 55% African, 7% Native American (believed to be from Jamaican Maroon ancestry on his father's side), and 38% European. His mother was born in Panama, the daughter of Richard Augustus Packer and Gladys McGowan Campbell. Gladys Campbell was from Jamaica, the daughter of a Scottish man Duncan Campbell and his housemaid Albertina Wallace.[34]

In March 2007 Jackson starred as the 'hidden celebrity' in an episode of the award-winning CBBC gameshow Hider in the House, hosted by JK and Joel.

In 2008, Jackson co-hosted, with Louise Minchin, the Sunday morning show Sunday Life on BBC One.[35]

Colin Jackson appeared in the BBC One documentary The Making of Me on 31 July 2008, which attempted to find out what had made him such a talented athlete.[36] A sample of his leg muscle showed that he had 25% super-fast twitch fibres, when all previous athletes tested had only 2%. Family support was also thought to have been highly significant. Jamaicans are notable[according to whom?] for the high level of support and encouragement they give their children in the area of sports. One clip showed a stadium in Jamaica with 30,000 people cheering on children taking part in an average school sports meet. Supporters included their peers, who seemed happy to cheer on their classmates who were 'good at sports'. Although Jackson was brought up in the UK, he remembers his parents cheering on Don Quarrie in the 1976 Olympics, inspiring him to want to 'be like that'.[citation needed]

In 2009 Jackson shared his writing tips on the adult learning website "BBC raw words". He features in a comedy short with Nina Wadia, Rowland Rivron and Anneka Rice about structuring a story, and also shares his writing tips gained from writing Life's New Hurdles.[citation needed]

In July 2010, Jackson was a competitor on the BBC television programme Celebrity MasterChef.[citation needed]

In 2012 Jackson made a cameo appearance as himself in an episode of the UK TV comedy drama Stella. In 2015, he starred in the historical experience 24 Hours in the Past.

In February 2019 Jackson was inaugurated as a Chancellor of Wrexham Glyndwr University, after being awarded with an Honorary Fellowship in 2016 for his contribution to sport.[37]

Strictly Come Dancing

[edit]

In 2005, he appeared as one of the celebrity contestants on the BBC TV series Strictly Come Dancing, where he came second with his dance partner Erin Boag, just losing out to cricketer Darren Gough.[38] In 2006 Jackson became the first competitor who had not won the main series to win the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special.

Go Dad Run

[edit]

In 2013 Jackson created his own charitable fundraising event for men, Go Dad Run.[39][40] The purpose is to raise awareness of men's health issues and funds for male based charities Prostate Cancer UK, Bowel Cancer UK, Orchid and CALM plus local Cancer Care charities and hospices.[41] Ambassadors include Mark Foster, Donovan Bailey, Suzanne Packer, Fernando Montano, Siân Lloyd and Jamie Baulch.[citation needed]

Sport 4 Kids

[edit]

Jackson CBE joined Sport4Kids (S4K) as their International Director and Brand Ambassador.[42][43]

Jackson holds special responsibilities for developing the S4K brand and help the mission to transform children's sport across the UK and international markets through the company's franchise network.[citation needed]

Iaith ar Daith

[edit]

In 2020 Jackson joined other celebrities in a new S4C television series called Iaith ar Daith ('Language Road Trip') in which they take a crash course in the Welsh language while travelling around Wales.[44] At the end of the series he was interviewed in Welsh.[45] The series was broadcast in April 2020.[46] An extra episode, Iaith ar Daith 'Dolig ('Language Road Trip: Christmas') was broadcast at the end of 2020, interviewing each of the celebrities about whether they were still making use of their Welsh and the opportunities they had had to use Welsh during lockdown.[47]

Dancing on Ice

[edit]

In 2021, Jackson participated in the thirteenth series of Dancing on Ice.[48] He was partnered with Klabera Komini and finished in 3rd Place.[49]

Personal life

[edit]

On 26 August 2017 Jackson came out as gay in a clip on Swedish television promoting the series "Rainbow Heroes".[50][51] Previously he had denied that he was gay both in his 2004 autobiography[12] and in a 2008 interview with The Voice newspaper.[52]

His eldest sister is Casualty actress Suzanne Packer.

International competitions

[edit]
Year Competition Venue Position Event Result
Representing  Great Britain and  Wales
1985 European Indoor Championships Piraeus, Greece 10th (sf) 60 m hurdles 7.85
European Junior Championships Cottbus, East Germany 2nd 110 m hurdles 13.69
1986 World Junior Championships Athens, Greece 1st 110 m hurdles 13.44
Commonwealth Games Edinburgh, United Kingdom 2nd 110 m hurdles 13.42
1987 European Indoor Championships Liévin, France 2nd 60 m hurdles 7.63
World Indoor Championships Indianapolis, United States 4th 60 m hurdles 7.68
World Championships Rome, Italy 3rd 110 m hurdles 13.38
1988 Olympic Games Seoul, South Korea 2nd 110 m hurdles 13.28
1989 European Indoor Championships The Hague (Netherlands) 1st 60 m hurdles 7.59
World Indoor Championships Budapest, Hungary 2nd 60 m hurdles 7.45
World Cup Barcelona, Spain 2nd 110 m hurdles 12.95 (w)
1990 Commonwealth Games Auckland, New Zealand 1st 110 m hurdles 13.08
European Championships Split, Yugoslavia 1st 110 m hurdles 13.18
1991 World Championships Tokyo, Japan 2nd (h) 110 m hurdles 13.251
1992 Olympic Games Barcelona, Spain 7th 110 m hurdles 13.46
World Cup Havana, Cuba 1st 110 m hurdles 13.07
1993 World Indoor Championships Toronto, Canada 2nd 60 m hurdles 7.43
World Championships Stuttgart, Germany 1st 110 m hurdles 12.91
2nd 4 × 100 m relay 37.77
1994 European Indoor Championships Paris, France 1st 60 m 6.49
1st 60 m hurdles 7.41
Goodwill Games St. Petersburg, Russia 1st 110 m hurdles 13.29
Commonwealth Games Victoria, Canada 1st 110 m hurdles 13.08
European Championships Helsinki, Finland 1st 110 m hurdles 13.08
1996 Olympic Games Atlanta, United States 4th 110 m hurdles 13.19
1997 World Indoor Championships Paris, France 2nd 60 m hurdles 7.49
World Championships Athens, Greece 2nd 110 m hurdles 13.05
1998 Goodwill Games Uniondale, United States 4th 110 m hurdles 13.17
European Championships Budapest, Hungary 1st 110 m hurdles 13.02
World Cup Johannesburg, South Africa 2nd 110 m hurdles 13.11
1999 World Indoor Championships Maebashi, Japan 1st 60 m hurdles 7.38
World Championships Seville, Spain 1st 110 m hurdles 13.04
2000 Olympic Games Sydney, Australia 5th 110 m hurdles 13.28
2001 Goodwill Games Brisbane, Australia 5th 110 m hurdles 13.63
2002 European Indoor Championships Vienna, Austria 1st 60 m hurdles 7.40
Commonwealth Games Manchester, United Kingdom 2nd 110 m hurdles 13.39
European Championships Munich, Germany 1st 110 m hurdles 13.11
2003 World Indoor Championships Birmingham, United Kingdom 5th 60 m hurdles 7.61

1Did not start in the semifinals

Personal bests

Outdoor
Indoor

References

[edit]

Bibliography

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Colin Jackson

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia

Colin Jackson (born 18 January 1967) is a Welsh former track and field athlete who specialized in the 110 metres hurdles and represented Great Britain and Wales from 1984 to 2003.
He secured a silver medal in the event at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, marking his sole Olympic podium finish despite competing in four Games.
Jackson claimed gold medals at the World Championships in 1993 and 1999, along with multiple European and Commonwealth titles, establishing himself as one of the premier hurdlers of his era.
In 1993, he set a world record of 12.91 seconds in the 110 m hurdles at the World Championships in Stuttgart, a mark he improved upon twice more before it endured for 13 years until surpassed in 2006.
His achievements include holding the indoor 60 m hurdles world record for nearly 27 years, reflecting exceptional speed and technique honed under coach Malcolm Arnold.

Early Life and Background

Family Origins and Childhood in

Colin Jackson was born on 18 February 1967 in , . His mother, Angela, was born in to parents of descent and immigrated to in 1955, joining her father, Everil Emmanuel Augustus Dunkley, who had arrived from that same year seeking work. His father, Ossie, emigrated from to the in 1962, and the couple married shortly thereafter. Jackson's family background thus reflects roots, including , Panamanian, and distant Scottish ancestry through his maternal line. Raised in the working-class Birchgrove district of , Jackson grew up in a close-knit, conservative household that emphasized discipline and family values. As one of four siblings, he navigated the challenges of being a child of immigrant parents in a predominantly white Welsh community during the , later reflecting that "growing up in as the child of Jamaican parents wasn't always straightforward." His early exposure to sports came through family encouragement and local opportunities, fostering interests in athletics from a young age. Jackson attended Springwood Primary School and later Llanedeyrn High School in , where his physical talents began to emerge amid a supportive yet modest environment. The family's immigrant story, including traces of ancestral ties to Jamaican communities and Panama's canal workforce, was explored by Jackson in later years through genealogical research, underscoring a heritage shaped by migration and resilience.

Education and Entry into Athletics

Colin Jackson attended Springwood in during his early childhood. He later progressed to Llanedeyrn High School, where his sporting talents first emerged prominently. At Llanedeyrn, Jackson participated in multiple sports, including and rugby for the school teams, as well as and football at the county level. The school's physical education staff, many of whom were Welsh internationals, provided significant influence on his athletic development. Jackson established school records in , , and while at , demonstrating early versatility in field events. He also excelled in , reflecting his all-around athletic aptitude before specializing in track events. His entry into competitive athletics occurred through the local Birchgrove Harriers club, situated near his home, where coaches identified his potential as a teenager. Jackson's first recorded competition was on 20 June 1981, at age 14, when he won the Welsh under-15 80m hurdles title at Morfa Stadium in . A week later, he secured the Welsh Schools’ 80m hurdles title and the event in . In 1982, he earned his first representative honor in a schools’ international match at . Initially competing as a promising decathlete and long jumper, Jackson transitioned to high hurdles under the guidance of Welsh national coach , with whom he began training as a teenager. This early club involvement and school-based successes laid the foundation for his specialization in the 110m hurdles.

Athletics Career

Junior Development and Breakthrough (1980s)

Colin Jackson began his athletic development in , , training under national coach during his teenage years, initially competing in and before specializing in the . At age 17, he secured his first Welsh national in the 110m hurdles in 1984, recording a time of 15.56 seconds. Jackson's junior career peaked in 1986, when he won gold in the 110m hurdles at the World Junior Championships in , , establishing himself as a rising talent. That same year, at the European Junior Championships, he claimed victory with a European junior record time of 13.44 seconds, finishing 4 metres ahead of Britain's Jon Ridgeon. Transitioning to senior competition, he earned silver in the 110m hurdles at the in , , marking his first major international medal at age 19. These performances signaled his breakthrough, setting the stage for senior-level success while highlighting his explosive speed and technique honed in Welsh training environments.

Peak Achievements and Olympic Performances (1988–1996)

Colin Jackson achieved his first major international success at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, where he won the silver medal in the men's 110 metres hurdles with a time of 13.28 seconds, finishing behind Roger Kingdom of the United States who recorded 12.98 seconds. This performance marked Jackson as a rising talent in the event, following his silver at the 1986 Commonwealth Games. In 1990, Jackson secured gold medals at both the in and the European Championships in Split, establishing dominance in European and competition with victories in the . However, at the in , he placed seventh in the final with a time of 13.46 seconds, despite posting the fastest qualifying time of 13.10 seconds earlier in the rounds, an outcome attributed to tactical and execution errors under pressure. Jackson's peak form culminated in 1993 at the World Championships in , where on 20 August he won gold and set a new world record of 12.91 seconds in the final, a mark that stood for over a decade. This achievement followed consistent top rankings and indoor successes, including world indoor titles in the . He defended his European title in 1994 at the Championships in . At the in , Jackson finished fourth in the final with 13.19 seconds after advancing strongly through earlier rounds, but a pulled muscle hampered his performance and prevented a contention. Despite Olympic frustrations, this period solidified his status as the preeminent hurdler globally, with multiple seasonal bests under 13 seconds and undefeated streaks in major non-Olympic events.

Later Career, Records, and European Dominance (1993–2003)

In August 1993, Jackson secured his first world title at the IAAF World Championships in Stuttgart, Germany, where he set the men's 110 metres hurdles world record of 12.91 seconds on 20 August, surpassing the previous mark held by Roger Kingdom. This performance not only earned him gold but also established a benchmark that endured for nearly 13 years until broken by Liu Xiang in 2006. The following year, on 6 March 1994, Jackson extended his record-holding prowess indoors by clocking 7.30 seconds in the 60 metres hurdles at the World Indoor Championships in Birmingham, United Kingdom, claiming gold and a new world record. Jackson's European supremacy was unparalleled during this era, remaining undefeated in the at the European Championships. He captured gold at the 1994 European Championships in , ; the 1998 edition in , ; and achieved a record fourth consecutive title in 2002 in , Germany, at age 35. Additionally, he defended his Commonwealth Games title in 1994 in Victoria, Canada, further solidifying his dominance on the continental and regional stages. Reclaiming the outdoor world crown in 1999 at the Championships in , , with a time of 13.04 seconds, Jackson became one of the few athletes to win multiple titles in the event. Despite challenges at the Olympic level, including a semifinal exit due to injury at the 1996 Games and a fifth-place finish in 2000, his consistency in major non-Olympic competitions underscored his technical mastery and endurance. As Jackson approached the twilight of his career, he embarked on a farewell tour in , winning early-season races but finishing fifth in the at the World Indoor Championships in Birmingham before failing to advance from the semifinals at the outdoor World Championships in . He officially retired later that year at age 36, leaving behind a legacy of records and European hegemony in .

Retirement and Reflections on Career Shortcomings

Jackson announced his retirement from competitive athletics in August 2002, stating he would conclude his career after the World Indoor Championships in March 2003, following his fourth gold in . At age 36, he cited a desire to retire on his own terms while still performing at a high level, rather than waiting for physical decline to force the decision. He finished fifth in the 60m hurdles at the Birmingham World Indoors, marking the end of a career that included 71 appearances for . In reflecting on his career, Jackson has identified his failure to win Olympic gold as a key shortcoming, despite securing silver medals in and , and expressing heartache over not displaying his full capabilities at the Games. Injuries frequently hampered his Olympic preparations and performances, often going undisclosed as he competed through pain, contributing to subpar results such as fourth place in 1996. Additionally, Jackson later revealed that eating disorders, including bulimia and anorexia, emerged during Olympic training cycles, driven by self-imposed pressure to reduce weight for better performance, which undermined his mental and physical readiness. More recent assessments show Jackson distancing himself from regrets, attributing the Olympic shortfall to specific contextual factors rather than personal failure, while emphasizing achievements like holding the 110m hurdles world record from 1993 to 2004 and multiple world and European titles. He has maintained that without those precise circumstances, his overall record—including two World Championship golds and unparalleled European dominance—might not have materialized.

Personal Life

Sexuality, Privacy, and 2017 Coming Out

Colin Jackson kept his homosexuality private throughout his athletics career, despite persistent media speculation and attempts to out him. In his 2004 autobiography The Power of One, he explicitly denied being gay, stating that rumors were unfounded. He reiterated this denial in a 2008 interview with The Voice newspaper. Jackson later explained that these public denials were deliberate to avoid sensationalism and protect his professional focus, as he believed disclosure would shift attention from his athletic achievements. He confided in his parents about his sexuality at age 28, in 1995, describing the conversation as emotional but supportive. Despite this personal disclosure, Jackson maintained strict privacy publicly, citing concerns over homophobia in sports and the potential impact on his career and endorsements during the 1990s and early 2000s. He has reflected that the athletic environment's emphasis on hyper-masculinity contributed to his reluctance, though he emphasized that his decision was personal and not owed to public scrutiny. On August 28, 2017, Jackson publicly came out as gay at age 50 during an interview in the Swedish documentary Upp till Kamp. In the program, he stated, "I have known I was gay since I was 14," and addressed his prior denials as a means to control the narrative on his terms. The announcement received widespread media coverage in the UK, with Jackson expressing relief at the timing, post-retirement, when it no longer risked overshadowing his sporting legacy. He has since spoken openly about the experience in diversity events, highlighting the internal conflict of living dual lives but affirming that privacy was a valid choice amid societal pressures.

Mental Health Struggles and Self-Admitted Issues

During his competitive career, Jackson admitted to struggling with bulimia, anorexia, and body dysmorphia, driven by unrealistic beauty standards and the pressure to maintain an optimal athletic physique. He restricted food intake while competing and engaged in binge-eating followed by purging, viewing his body as inadequate despite his elite performance. These issues persisted amid the scrutiny of international athletics, where he later reflected that arrogance and perfectionism exacerbated his internal conflicts, contributing to Olympic underperformance. Approaching retirement in 2003 at age 36, Jackson experienced escalating anxiety, including panic attacks that he described as feeling like heart attacks. Post-retirement, these intensified into full anxiety attacks, linked to the loss of structure and identity from athletics. In a 2024 podcast, he detailed how the transition triggered profound challenges, prompting him to seek and practices for management. Jackson has publicly advocated for awareness in sports, launching an app in 2025 to provide a "safe place" for others facing similar issues.

Physical Health Challenges and Long-Term Effects

During his competitive career, Jackson encountered several injuries that impacted his performance, including a in 1986 that caused him to miss the European Championships. In the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, a rib injury led him to clip four hurdles in the 110m final, resulting in a fifth-place finish despite his status as a favorite. These setbacks, combined with cumulative wear from high-intensity hurdling, contributed to ongoing joint issues, particularly in his knees, where damage and a displaced kneecap necessitated seven surgical interventions over time. Post-retirement in 2003, Jackson experienced chronic attributed to extensive damage to his kneecaps, , ligaments, and tendons from years of repetitive impact in . This condition caused persistent aches and reduced mobility, affecting his media work and appearances such as and in 2021, where he managed pain through medication and therapy. By 2021, after two decades of struggle, he underwent a regenerative treatment involving injections, which reportedly alleviated the pain significantly. In May 2025, facing ongoing degenerative effects, Jackson had knee surgery described as his "last roll of the dice" to address lingering mobility limitations. Additionally, Jackson was diagnosed with high in adulthood, a exacerbated by family history—his died of —which prompted dietary changes like eliminating saturated fats to mitigate cardiovascular risks unrelated to his athletic exertions. These physical tolls underscore the long-term biomechanical stresses of elite sprint , though Jackson has maintained an active lifestyle in and public engagements.

Post-Athletic Career

Broadcasting and Sports Commentary

Following his retirement from competitive athletics in 2003, Jackson entered broadcasting as a commentator and pundit for the BBC, debuting at the 2004 Athens Olympics where his expertise from a medal-laden career positioned him as a natural addition to the coverage team. His role involved delivering on-site analysis, race breakdowns, and athlete insights, leveraging his world-record-holding experience in the 110m hurdles to contextualize performances for viewers. Jackson has since provided commentary for numerous BBC broadcasts of elite athletics events, including multiple Olympic Games (from Athens 2004 through subsequent editions), World Athletics Championships, and European Championships, often serving as a lead pundit alongside anchors like Clare Balding. His contributions emphasize technical aspects of hurdling technique, training regimens, and competitive pressures, drawing directly from his achievements such as the 12.91-second world record set in 1993. This ongoing involvement, spanning over two decades, has established him as one of the BBC's most recognizable voices in track and field, with coverage reaching global audiences via the broadcaster's platforms. In addition to live event commentary, Jackson has appeared in studio segments dissecting major meets, such as post-race reviews of in sprints and hurdles, where he critiques form and strategy based on empirical observations from his . His style combines authoritative detail with accessibility, avoiding unsubstantiated hype while grounding opinions in verifiable performance data, though he has occasionally faced scrutiny for perceived favoritism toward British athletes in analyses. By 2024, he continued contributing to Olympic coverage, including the Paris Games, underscoring his sustained relevance in sports media amid evolving formats like digital streaming.

Television Entertainment Appearances

Colin Jackson competed in the third series of the BBC's in 2005, partnered with professional dancer . He advanced to the grand final alongside and , ultimately placing third after performing a jive, , and a freestyle routine incorporating puppets that malfunctioned during execution, later dubbed "Muppetgate" by media observers. In 2010, Jackson appeared as a contestant on the BBC's Celebrity MasterChef, reaching the knockout stages before elimination. He prepared dishes evaluated by judges and , showcasing his culinary skills in a competitive format distinct from his athletic background. Jackson made a as himself in the 2012 episode of the Sky1 comedy-drama series Stella, integrating his public persona into the narrative. Additionally, he participated in Celebrity Antiques Road Trip on , partnering with fellow athlete Jonathan Edwards to hunt for antiques and compete in valuations during a 2011 . These ventures highlighted his transition into , leveraging his fame beyond sports broadcasting.

Coaching, Motivational Speaking, and Ventures

After retiring from competitive athletics in 2003, Jackson took up coaching roles, mentoring both athletes and swimmers. He coached Welsh sprinter Timothy Benjamin and hurdler Rhys Williams during their careers. He also served as a coach for British swimmer Mark Foster until Foster's retirement in April 2016. In 2025, Jackson resumed active coaching involvement after observing promising young British hurdler Joshua Taylor, whose technique prompted him to re-engage directly with athlete development. Jackson has established himself as a , focusing on themes of resilience, peak performance, and overcoming mental barriers in and . He delivers addresses at events such as corporate conferences and awards ceremonies, drawing on his experiences as a world-record holder to emphasize and . Agencies represent him for high-profile engagements, including inspirational talks on achieving under pressure, as demonstrated in his 2013 address at the European Athletics Convention titled "Dare to Dream." His speaking portfolio includes discussions on transitioning from elite competition to post-career success, often tailored for audiences in leadership and . In terms of business ventures, Jackson co-owns a production company, which he established following his to capitalize on his profile. This enterprise aligns with his broader media activities, though specific operational details remain limited in public records. No major additional entrepreneurial pursuits in athletics training academies or product lines have been documented.

Controversies and Criticisms

Doping Comments and Athletics Integrity Claims

In , Jackson criticized inadequate drug-testing procedures in athletics, stating that they threatened to make a mockery of the sport by failing to deter widespread doping. He emphasized the need for stricter enforcement to maintain competitive fairness. By October 2011, Jackson joined fellow retired athletes in condemning drug cheats, asserting that doping had wrecked some disciplines and ruined reputations of clean competitors, particularly highlighting the injustice to those who adhered to rules. He advocated for robust anti-doping measures to preserve the sport's without broadly penalizing innocent participants. Following revelations of systemic doping scandals, particularly involving , Jackson opposed proposals in January 2016 to reset world from eras potentially tainted by performance-enhancing drugs, arguing that such measures unfairly targeted verified clean performances like his own 12.91-second mark set in 1993. In May 2017, he described European Athletics' plans to strip as "ridiculous" and "offensive," insisting that they implied guilt by association for athletes who had passed rigorous tests, thereby undermining the credibility of historical achievements without concrete evidence of individual wrongdoing. Jackson maintained that integrity reforms should focus on enhanced future testing and education—such as athletes fully understanding ingested substances—rather than retroactive erasure that he viewed as punitive overreach.

Media Incidents and Public Relations Missteps

In the 2005 third series of , Jackson and his professional partner reached the final but opted for a controversial show routine featuring oversized stuffed mannequins—dubbed "Muppetgate"—strapped to their limbs to add theatrical flair. The performance, intended as a bold, entertaining risk, was panned by judges as resembling an "end-of-pier" act, contributing to their narrow loss to cricketer and by a single point. The gimmick stunned viewers and drew widespread media mockery, with outlets highlighting it as one of the program's most infamous misfires, even prompting complaints from Jackson's father about the distracting props. Boag later defended the choice as innovative amid the competition's emphasis on technical skill over spectacle, but the backlash underscored a perceived error in prioritizing novelty over polish in a high-stakes finale. No formal apology was issued, though the incident lingered as a cautionary example in Jackson's career transitions.

Views on International Events and Scrutiny Resistance

Colin Jackson has expressed strong support for leveraging mega-sporting events, such as the and , as platforms to advance globally. He views these events as unifying forces that bring together athletes, businesses, and governments to address systemic issues, emphasizing the responsibilities of involved parties in infrastructure development and event delivery. In a 2015 discussion, Jackson highlighted sports' potential to elevate human rights standards, noting that athletes often emerge as natural ambassadors for such causes during these spectacles. Regarding specific international contexts, Jackson advocated for the British government to actively promote LGBT rights across nations hosting the 2022 Birmingham Games, where 36 countries still criminalize . He argued that the , as host, should use its influence to drive reforms, stating that failure to address these disparities undermines the event's values of equality and inclusion. This stance reflects his preference for diplomatic engagement over isolation, positioning sports as a catalyst for progressive change rather than a arena for boycotts. On racial inequality, Jackson urged the (IOC) in June 2020 to seize the global attention of the Tokyo Olympics—postponed to 2021 due to the —as an opportunity to condemn systemic racism explicitly. Referencing the 1968 Mexico City Olympics' Black Power salute by and , he contended that little substantive progress had occurred in the intervening decades and called for the IOC to affirm that discrimination has no place in sport, which unites diverse backgrounds. Jackson's approach resists superficial gestures, insisting on accountability that aligns with sports' purported universal appeal. Jackson's commentary demonstrates a resistance to politicized scrutiny that might derail events, favoring internal and athlete-led initiatives to enforce ethical standards. He has critiqued the IOC for past hesitancy, yet maintained that sports' platform amplifies voices more effectively than external protests, avoiding the divisiveness of outright condemnations that could alienate stakeholders. This perspective prioritizes pragmatic reform through participation, as evidenced by his broader endorsement of equality in international athletics forums.

Legacy and Impact

Contributions to Hurdling Technique and British Sport

Colin Jackson's technique emphasized efficient clearance and minimal disruption to forward momentum, as evidenced by biomechanical analyses of his performances. In studies comparing his style to later record holders like , Jackson's hurdle clearance phase lasted approximately 0.54 seconds, comprising a 0.10-second takeoff, 0.36-second flight, and 0.08-second , allowing sustained high speed between hurdles. This approach, refined under coach who addressed Jackson's initial postural deficiencies such as outward-pointed toes and awkward , enabled him to set the 110m hurdles of 12.91 seconds at the 1993 World Championships in , a mark that endured for nearly 13 years. His 60m hurdles of 7.30 seconds, set in 1994, similarly highlighted optimized indoor technique and stood for almost 27 years, influencing methodologies for speed and precision in the event. Jackson's technical mastery elevated British hurdling by providing a replicable model for aspiring , with contemporaries like noting his ability to "clip, but not clip" hurdle tops, preserving rhythm without faults. As the first Welsh to win an outdoor world title in 1993, he amassed 12 gold medals across major championships, including two World Championships, six European Championships, and four golds, fostering greater investment and participation in UK sprint hurdles programs. His consistent top-10 world rankings over 16 to 20 years demonstrated durability, inspiring systemic improvements in British talent pathways. Post-retirement, Jackson contributed to technique development through , including sessions on elite fundamentals and of young talents, as seen in his endorsements of innovative styles that "blew his mind" while emphasizing foundational posture and clearance drills. His induction into the British Athletics Hall of Fame alongside Arnold in 2016 recognized this dual legacy of personal excellence and broader event advancement in the UK.

Awards, Honors, and Cultural Recognition

Jackson was appointed Member of the (MBE) in the 1990 for services to . He received promotion to Officer of the (OBE) in the 2000 , recognizing his world record achievements and contributions to British sport. In the 2003 , he was further elevated to Commander of the (CBE) following his retirement from competition, honoring his sustained excellence and role in elevating the profile of hurdles events. Beyond the British honours system, Jackson was named Europe's in 1994 by the , acknowledging his dominance in the across continental competitions. He earned the IAAF World Athlete of the Year award in 1993, a distinction from the sport's for his world championship victory and record-setting performances that year. The British Athletics Writers' Association also awarded him their top honour in 1993 for similar reasons. Domestically, he was voted Sports Personality of the Year on three occasions, reflecting his status as a national icon in Welsh athletics. In terms of institutional recognition, Jackson was inducted into the Welsh Sports Hall of Fame, celebrating his record-breaking career and representation of on the global stage. He joined the UK Hall of Fame for Sport in 2016 alongside coach , an honour highlighting his technical innovations in and lasting influence on British . Culturally, his legacy extends to popular references, such as a mention in the English reggae band Aswad's lyrics, underscoring his prominence in British sports culture during the 1990s. In 2003, he received a civic from for promoting the city through his athletic successes.

Broader Influence on Mental Health Discussions in Athletics

Jackson's candid disclosures about his struggles with bulimia, anorexia, body dysmorphia, and severe anxiety—stemming from the relentless body image scrutiny and performance pressures in elite athletics—have elevated visibility of these issues among athletes. He has linked these conditions directly to the sport's demands, such as maintaining an "ideal" physique for hurdling, which exacerbated his eating disorders during his competitive peak in the 1990s and early 2000s. In October 2020, Jackson fronted the investigation Sport's Hidden Crisis, which exposed the underreported prevalence of eating disorders in British athletics, interviewing affected athletes and critiquing institutional responses for inadequate screening and support. The program underscored how competitive environments foster secretive behaviors, with Jackson drawing from his experiences to advocate for mandatory protocols in sports governing bodies. Further amplifying this, Jackson detailed post-retirement anxiety attacks in a 2024 Loughborough University podcast, describing panic episodes triggered by the abrupt loss of athletic structure and identity after his 2003 exit from the sport. These revelations, shared in subsequent 2025 interviews, highlighted transition vulnerabilities, prompting discussions on as integral to athlete welfare. By July 2025, Jackson launched the "Track, Field and Life" app, designed as a platform for athletes to exchange experiences on , , and performance stress, aiming to foster in a field historically prioritizing physical metrics. His advocacy, including partnerships like the SPAR "SPARk a " campaign targeting male athletes' reluctance to disclose vulnerabilities, has modeled openness, contributing to a cultural shift where mental resilience is increasingly framed as essential to athletic success rather than a peripheral concern.

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