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Colin Jackson began the 1990's in magnificent form, not only did he
capture his first Commonwealth title but his winning time of 13.08sec.
was a European and Commonwealth record. (Colin above celebrating in Auckland)
It was the fastest time in the world that year and he was ranked World
No.1 for the first time in his career. His championship medals did not
end there as he won the European title for the first time with
13.18sec. - also from Tony Jarrett. 1991 looked set to be another
outstanding year and after winning the European Cup with 13.31sec. he
had every reason to be optimistic about the World Championships where he
coasted through the first round in 13.25sec. Unfortunately, his hopes
were ended by an injury sustained before the quarter final and he was
compelled to withdraw. Greg Foster retained the title in 13.06sec. and
Jarrett took the bronze medal with 13.25sec. Jackson's best time of
13.09sec. for the year ranked him fourth fastest in the world.
However,
the Olympic Games were being held the following year and perhaps there
he could make up for the disappointment of missing out at the 'big one'
of the previous year. His form during the weeks leading up to the Games
was impressive, indicated by his win at the AAA's championships with a
time of 13.15sec. However, at the Olympics it wasn't an injury that
blighted his Games - he reached the final perhaps a little too easily
and then underperformed badly, trailing in seventh place in 13.46sec.
behind Mark McKoy's winning time of 13.12sec. To compound his
disappointment he ran away from the rest of the field at the World Cup
in Havana the following month clocking 13.07sec. - a time that ranked
him the fastest in the world for 1992. (George Herringshaw)
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