Jackson keeps busy schedule before retiring

Sprint hurdler Colin Jackson is not winding down now he has announced his decision to retire.

The Welshman, who won a record fourth European Championships 110m title in Munich, will instead fit in as many meetings as he can before he bring his outdoor career to an end in September.

At 2am yesterday Jackson arrived in the Austrian town of Linz having rushed from Glasgow where on Sunday afternoon he represented Britain in the annual match against Russia and the United States.

His appearance at the Raiffeisen Gugl-Meeting was hugely appreciated by the 10,200 spectators who gave him a rapturous welcome during the pre-meeting parade of the stars.

When the action finally got underway, the world record holder, whose record of 12.91 seconds has now stood for nine years, rewarded their recognition by defeating a top-class field - even though he hit the first of the 10 hurdles.

Jackson insisted memories of Manchester, where clattering the first obstacle cost him the Commonwealth crown, never entered his mind.

Instead Jackson got on with the job in hand. Recovering his composure, he moved swiftly through the field eventually scoring an easy victory in 13.38secs - not one of his quickest times, but speedy enough to see off world class rivals.

Again, as he did during his record breaking spree in Munich, he left Stanislav Olijar trailing, the European silver medallist from Latvia finishing in 13.40secs.

Further back came Olympic champion Anier Garcia, the Cuban clocking 13.49secs.

Jackson, still planning another seven races before retirement, said: "I hit the first hurdle really hard but didn’t panic and try to rush straight to the front. I just told myself to keep going.

"I’ve now learned to pull the distance back gradually and rely on my finishing speed. I was very confident that I would do it. Before being stopped for the false start, I felt plenty of speed in my legs.

"I now believe there is no-one who can finish as quickly as me. Mind you it’s taken me 18 years to realise that and stop panicking to get to the front in a rush."

The Cardiff-born star stressed thoughts of the Commonwealth final and Shaun Bownes’ shock win never entered his mind.

"No way, it doesn’t matter. These are completely different races. Shaun took advantage of my mistake in a championship race and the best of luck to him.

"I’ve done the same thing myself in the past. Here the pressure is completely different and I knew what I had to do."

In the 400m hurdles Tony Borsumato (49.19secs) was fourth, Commonwealth finalist Stuart Stokes (eight minutes 39.90secs) was eighth in the 3000m steeplechase while over 3000m Catherine Berry ran a personal best of 9:02.79.