One of Britain’s most iconic athletes, Colin Jackson is a two-time world champion hurdler who earned a silver medal at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul. Colin’s infectious and likeable personality has also seen him become a regular feature on British TV appearing on the likes of Strictly Come Dancing, Who Do You Think You Are? and Celebrity MasterChef. In 2017 Colin came out as gay at the age of 50 and during his diversity and inclusion speaking events, he is able to discuss his battle with his sexuality.
In conjunction with Celebrity PR Limited, London we present Colin Jackson, a former gold medalist at the European Championships hosted in Munich in 2002.
A truly world-class hurdler in his prime, Colin has won an extraordinary 21 medals across the Olympics, World Championships, European Championships and Commonwealth Games, 12 of which were gold. In a career that spanned more than 15 years, Colin held the 110m hurdles record for over a decade making him one of the most decorated British athletes of all time. Since retiring in 2003 Colin has worked as an athletics coach and broadcaster working as a pundit and commentator for the BBC covering some of the biggest events in world sport.
Colin burst onto the scene in 1986 at the World Junior Championships. But it wasn’t long until he’d reached the senior ranks. In the same year, he headed to Edinburgh for the Commonwealth Games winning a silver medal. This was the springboard that saw him head to the 1988 Olympic Games and once again come away with a silver medal.
Throughout his career, Colin harboured the secret of his sexuality and battle with an eating disorder. Determined to focus on his sport, Colin suppressed his true identity for fear of the homophobia he would face, and the impact it could have on his position as a sportsman. Similarly, overwhelmed with the pressure of performing at top levels, Colin was driven to an eating disorder, becoming bulimic and anorexic after obsessing over becoming lighter for speed. Now, having overcome his personal adversity, Colin is an advocate for greater acceptance and open conversations in every industry.
Colin continues to remain a prominent sports personality through his speaking engagements. Having battled with his sexuality and mental health, Colin is able to address such topics as a speaker educating audiences on the tools needed to overcome adversity. Additionally, Colin supports corporate clients in developing inclusive cultures in the workplace and improving diversity. Not only is he a British sporting legend but Colin’s remarkable life story can see him add insight on a variety of topics.
Keynote by Colin Jackson:
A true sporting icon with an extraordinary story, Colin Jackson CBE brings the same passion and precision that defined his world-class athletics career to the keynote stage. As a world-record-breaking hurdler, Olympic medallist, BBC broadcaster, and philanthropist, Colin speaks with clarity, purpose, and authenticity, making him one of the most engaging motivational speakers on the circuit.
Whether addressing elite athletes, corporate teams, or young leaders, Colin’s talks blend real-life adversity, elite performance insights, and moments of humour and humility. He’s as captivating recounting the thrill of setting world records as he is sharing his journey through loss, self-doubt, and the resilience it takes to overcome public defeat.
With charisma honed through years in the media spotlight and wisdom shaped by decades at the top of international sport, Colin delivers powerful messages that inspire action, whether that means setting ambitious goals, embracing change, or unlocking peak performance under pressure.
Colin is available to talk about the following topics:
Watch Colin Jackson in action
