A year later at the European Indoor Championships in Sindelfingen Germany he ran the 60m hurdles in 7

A year later, at the European Indoor Championships in Sindelfingen, Germany, he ran the 60m hurdles in 7.30 seconds. Both times remain unbeaten, and it is these that send him to sleep happy at night.Growing up in the Seventies in one of Cardiff’s newest neighbourhoods, the young Colin shared his enthusiasm for watching athletics with his Jamaican-born father, but early on had decided to become an electrician. Seconds, in his world, were of crucial importance, and he reels them off here endlessly. For instance, back in August 1993, at the Outdoor World Championship in Stuttgart, he completed the 110m hurdles in 12.91 seconds, .02 seconds faster than anybody else, ever.

He talks of all the medals accrued (25 major championship gongs) and the records set (seven European, eight Commonwealth and nine UK, all at 110m) And he obsesses over time. In it, he talks about the friendships he made, his poor girlfriend who always came second place in his affections – silver to the gold of hurdling, if you like – and the bitter feud with fellow athlete Linford Christie, former teammate and friend who, after their business foundered, became his enemy. It’s a swift, impressive read, and glory spills from its pages. Yes, I’d lost my last race, but I was still among the top five in the world, and that’s no mean feat.”Retiring from sport, he says, “felt like the most natural thing in the world”.As is common practice for leading sportsmen and women these days, Colin Jackson has just published his autobiography. But I had been gradually aware for a while that my competitive streak was no longer as strong as it once was. “I’ve been competitive all my life, so it’s difficult to go out on a whimper. But despite initial disappointment, the 36-year-old was finally learning acceptance.”My first reaction was to find another race so I could finish my career properly,” he admits.

Once, this would have left him devastated, crushed, a shadow of his former self. “I’m in great shape at the moment,” he said at the time, “[and] I’m looking forward to winning my next medal.”As it transpired, he finished fifth. See? The discipline is worth it because the rewards are massive.”Jackson’s final race was at the World Indoor Championships in Birmingham back in March of this year. He wanted to exit at the very top of his game; he yearned to win. But I know that I was one of the best athletes, one of the very best, on the entire planet. You need huge levels of discipline to become a worldbeater.” His face becomes scarily intense “Let’s put it another way.