Athletics: Jackson doubts Olympic drive

Colin Jackson, who will bring his illustrious high-hurdling career to a close in just over six weeks' time, has questioned whether Britain has the commitment and passion to host an Olympic Games.

Following the Government's decision to delay any announcement over a London bid for the 2012 Games, Jackson has spoken out with characteristic boldness. "If our Government has to vote on it, they shouldn't bid," said the Welshman, who plans to retire at the age of 36 on 16 March, after the 60 metres hurdles final at the World Indoor Championships in Birmingham.

"They haven't got the passion for it. If you want people to be excited about it, just go for it. Forget the cost."

Reflecting on his experience at the Sydney Olympics, where he failed to earn the gold medal his talent had promised to deliver for more than a decade, Jackson added: "They just wanted the Games. There was terrific excitement. Nobody was talking about the cost, about what we are going to get out of it. Britain doesn't have that feel for it, to my mind. So I wonder whether we really deserve to have an Olympic Games."

Jackson, who starts his season today at a meeting in Erfurt, Germany, will make his first major domestic appearance at the Norwich Union International in Glasgow on Sunday. He intends to finish on a winning note 10 years after he became world outdoor high hurdles champion in Stuttgart in a world-record time of 12.91 seconds that still stands.

This week in London he reflected upon his preparations for retirement, emphasising that his approach to the forthcoming World Indoors will be one of "business as usual".

When Jackson completed his outdoor appearances in Britain at Crystal Palace last year, he made an emotional speech on the track and received huge applause.

"There was a lot of emotion that night," he said. "But when it comes to Birmingham I am going to be very business-like. I have always focused on championships like that and even though this will be my last event I am not going to lose sight of the importance of wanting to win another gold medal.

"I am working very hard towards it and I'm going to do my utmost to enjoy every race this winter. It seems that my career has fitted in so well. Now is the right time for me to retire and to know I'm going to do it by competing at a world championship in Britain is a perfect ending. It's strange. I know where the championships are taking place in the summer and beyond but I could not tell you the dates, which shows that I am definite about what I am doing. Once I retire, that will be it and I am looking forward to taking a nice long holiday."

Jackson has no specific plans for his life after competition, although he is unlikely to become involved in the coaching side of the sport. What is certain is that he will become a part of the BBC commentary team at major events. But for now he is still deep in the every-day business of being an athlete as he looks ahead to his date at the National Indoor Arena.

"I am training really hard," he said. "My coach, Malcolm Arnold, is a real tyrant and he allows no let-up despite the fact I have not got long left competing."