Carl Spence, Gleaner Writer
Colin Jackson, the 110 metre hurdles co-world record-holder at the offices of The Gleaner yesterday. - ANDREW SMITH/PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR
WORLD RENOWNED 110 metres hurdles record-holder Colin Jackson views the rivalry between co-world 100m record-holders Justin Gatlin and Asafa Powell as great for the sport of track and field.
Jackson, who was born in Cardiff City, Wales, has strong Jamaican roots as his grandparents were born in Jamaica and he spoke with The Gleaner yesterday, while on a brief visit to the island.
"What we are seeing is a true 100m rivalry which we haven't seen for a very long time," Jackson said.
"Previously, when people were running the 100m they would literally be on their own. When you think of Maurice Greene, the last dominant person over the 100m, you knew when he lined up, it was always going to be Maurice to cross the line first," he said.
A RIVALRY
"Now we have got a rivalry that's taking place. You've got two young kids that are running really fast. One has won everything and has tied the world record and one who has really won nothing, but is the fastest man on legs and that makes it interesting. For the sport it's simply necessary," he said.
Jackson also noted that there were many impressive athletes in the country apart from Powell and made special reference to Usain Bolt:
"Usain Bolt is a huge talent that should really be nurtured ... he is a 200m runner but I think the 400m should probably be his strongest event, but he needs to work hard if he wants to be a great quarter-miler."
He referred to athletics in the island as a huge bonus as so many Jamaicans are medalling at many international events despite the country's size.
Jackson never won an Olympic medal, but boasts a record-breaking 12.91 time he ran in Stuttgart, Germany, in 1993, in his pet event, which he shares with Liu Xiang of China.
