Jackson shares health struggles as he launches ‘safe space’ app

Olympian Colin Jackson has shared his struggles with mental health, body dysmorphia and bulimia as he prepares to launch his new app to create a “safe place” in the sporting community.

- ELEANOR FLEMING Press Association reporter

Colin, 58, who lives in Cardiff, had an illustrious sporting career, winning medals at Olympic, World, Commonwealth and European level, and breaking multiple world records one of which stood for 13 years.

However, behind the scenes, Colin said he was restricting his food intake while competing and struggled with bulimia where people binge-eat and then purge the food from their body to try to stop themselves gaining weight.

Moreover, as he approached retirement in 2003, aged 36, he said he started experiencing panic attacks, which felt like he was having “a heart attack” and caused him to “burst into sweat”.

With time and support, and by learning “tools” such as breathing, Colin has overcome many of these challenges and now wants to “give back” and encourage more open conversations, particularly among men.

He has partnered with SPAR for its new summer campaign, SPARK A Conversation, and is now preparing to launch his own app called Track, Field and Life this month.

With sports results, advice and stories from other athletes on the app, Colin said he wants to create a “safe place” where people can communicate and “celebrate” one another.

“For me, as an athlete, I was fortunate that people gave me time and they helped get the best from me, so now it’s my time to do exactly the same thing,” Colin said.

“If it culminates in something that’s good, and it makes men talk, it makes people across the board look after themselves in a healthy manner, and I was part of that journey, I can have a sense of pride.

“I can happily go to my grave, knowing that, do you know what? You were successful there, and you did make a difference.”

Colin “always loved” sport growing up but never saw himself pursuing a career as a professional athlete.

He excelled at many sports at school, before later focusing on athletics and he said he enjoyed the “play element” of sport most of all.