Athletics: Jackson perplexed

Reacting quickly is not usually a problem for Colin Jackson. But one question yesterday caused the world's pre-eminent high hurdler several seconds of delay - namely who would be his closest challenger in 1995.

Jackson, a polite soul, eventually formulated an answer - it would be the athlete who ran times around 13.1sec most often. "The key to big victories is consistency," he said. And he should know, having been unbeaten throughout last season.

The truth is that there is no obvious candidate as Jackson surveys a season where he will seek to retain his world title. And maybe to improve his 110 metres hurdles world record of 12.91. "I'm pretty sure," he said, "if I stay injury free, touch wood, I'm pretty sure I can go under 12.90."

That hopefulness is based upon three solid months of training which he has just completed in Tampa, Florida. On Saturday his competitive season begins at Birmingham's indoor arena, where he runs the 60m flat and hurdles in the McDonald's International against Russia.

Jackson's indoor season will end early, however, as he is not competing at the world indoor championships in March; he wants to train instead for the world outdoors. "In the last three years I felt the need to re-establish myself and gain confidence after injuries and operations," he said. "Now I feel that whatever happens I can come out and produce the goods in the outdoor season."

For the British Athletic Federation, which is still working on plans to provide services and support for athletes in return for guaranteed appearances at selected meetings, the lack of leading Britons at the world indoors at Barcelona is unfortunate. Theevent is irrelevant for Sally Gunnell, and Linford Christie and John Regis have also decided against going.

Tony Ward, the federation's press officer, points out in response, that championships are a matter of individual preferences. "Our contracts would be for our own domestic sponsored events, because that is the lifeblood of our sport. The European Cup alsofalls into the category of supporting the federation."

Jackson plans to run the European Cup. But for him, as he acknowledges, the indoor season is more of a break from the monotony of training than anything else.