Mumsnet Talk

Dear Colin
Hi! I am just really pleased to hear that you are taking up the mantle to encourage kids to access more marginalised sports. Our son has been doing lacrosse at school this year because his form teacher is essentially the sports lead for the school and is introducing a wider range of sport. Our son who is not necessarily very sporty but really enjoys participating in sport has loved the challenge.
You obviously believe in challenging yourself along similar lines - I am thinking how skilful you were learning to dance for Strictly Come Dancing. Do you have any plans to challenge yourself sports-wise in a new direction in the future?
Thanks and looking forward to your Olympic commentating!

I snuck a peak at Colin training for the Olympics Dancing On Ice special at Brixton Ice Rink a while ago gazza - he was looking v good (surprise surprise).

Colin - how do you suggest parents work out what sports their kids might have the aptitude for? My DS is 4 and we're trying to get him into sport and exercise now. He goes to gymnastics and swimming, but how do we know that he might be happier with football or tae kwondo or hockey longer term? I'd love to talk to someone and say 'he's slim, strong, not particularly co-ordinated. What might be good sports to introduce him to?' we don't want him to fall out of love with sport because we tried the wrong ones (i remember how i loathed hockey and netball at school, nobody had any better ideas, and i didn't discover what I was good at until my 20s and 30s) but there are too many sports to try them all.

BTW I remember watching you a lot when you were hurdling. You were, and remain, one of my favourite athletes

Hi Colin

I can not express how stupidly excited I am about the Olympics! Since the day we won the bid I have been counting down the days and now the torch relay has begun I am beyond happy. I am insanely jealous of all those who have got tickets but will be happy enough watching/listening to your commentating on the BBC.

Now for my question; if you think a child has a talent for athletics at what age do you think it is appropriate for the child to join an athletics club?

Also very sneekily a second question; what is your opinion of the Dwain Chambers situation?

Hi, I have a question from my sportsmad partner (who is very impressed that I'm actually able to ask you stuff )

How did you feel when you saw another man overtake your world record? How do you cope with that?

Thank you

Hi Colin,

Can you tell us a bit more about your work with Mission Foods and how the project is going to work in attracting children (I am especially interested in ways of attracting girls to sport)?

Also a very quick follow up question - what sport (apart from Athletics) are you most looking forward to watching at the Olympics?

<Another one who is ridiculously excited about the Olympics >

Any tips for top Brits for the summer's games?
I know you rate Jack Green very highly - can you see him beating Dai at the 400MH this summer?

Any suggestions on a sport for a uncompetitive 10 year old girl. She is very agile/fit/energetic but while she plays football and swims she doesn't get competitive. It feels like her ability is wasted at present and she needs a sport that doesn't revolve round winning.

(hope that makes sense!)

Hello colin

I've always had a bit of a yen to do pole vaulting. Do you think I've left it too late?

I am 37 and a bit fat.

I am very excited about the Olympics but... having loved and laughed with Twenty Twelve, I fear that it might be a bit close to the truth. I'm concerned that there might be people like Siobhan Sharpe and Graham Hitchins running the show.

Can you please reassure me that London 2012 will be seen as one of the fantastic Olympics like Sydney 2000, and not the damp squib that was Atlanta 1996?

Thanks.

I'm sorry. I had been up for a very very long time (working nights). But i would love to pole vault.

Hi Colin,
Do you have any tips for a ten year old and six year old who are keen to do well in the sprint at sports day?
Thanks x

Hello Colin,
I'm so glad you're Welsh.
<little Welsh dragon emoticon>

Hello Colin, I am a massive fan and you were always one of my favourites to watch when you were competing. You and Roger Black were the highlights in the chunky household!

I am also a huge Strictly fan so a trivial question from me - your quickstep with Erin is my absolute favourite dance ever but who of your sporting colleagues do you think should be on this year's show?

Hi colin

I have always thought you are a bit of a dish-can you blow me a virtual kiss please-ta x

Hi Colin, I won't be able to join you at lunchtime but wanted to know what you think about the lack of competitive sports in some schools in the UK. My main gripe with the primary school that my 2 kids attend is their annual sports day. There's no element of individual competition there at all because they say it should be about fun for all kids and not just those who are good at sports. I find it baffling that they can't see the benefits for kids who excel at sports (who maybe aren't necessarily the academic ones) and also why they can't see how important a bit of competition is to help nurture the sporting talent around. I was never great at athletics at school but my favourite day of the year was sports day - I always won the sack race Have you come across this and what do you think?

Hi Colin - so excited you're coming for a webchat! Can I ask you, what do you think about Dwain Chambers being allowed back in the British team for these Olympics?

Hi Colin - I'm a massive fan of your presenting and know that when I see you're 'on', no matter who the co-presenters are, it will be a professional, intelligent commentary.

My son age 9 is more into athletics, martial arts and swimming than team sports. We encourage and praise constantly but dread him quitting, if he said he wanted to quit, we wouldn't want to push him into participating unwillingly. What else could we do if the dreaded Q word arose? As a young athlete, did you ever realistically feel like quitting? If so, what motivated you to carry on?

Thanks

Hi Colin, lovely to see you here. I have long been an admirer of yours <that's a salacious wink btw>

What do you think are the key priorities in getting children involved with competitive sport? I have two daughters and I just know that the younger one will be a fantastic athlete with the right help. Ever since she was about 6 months old and she would hold on to my little fingers and leg it along the landing, I have been saying that she will be a future Olympian. She's only two, but is super fast, incredibly bold and just loves running. She also has fantastic genes on her father's side (without any formal training, he was a sub-50 second 400 metre runner). I don't want this to be lost - what do you suggest are the best things to do to harness her talent and love of sport?

again. Sorry, I couldn't resist

Hi Colin

I can't think of a question not already posed but wanted to say hi. I was a slightly obsessive big fan when I was a teenager and I think you seem lovely.

OOh I didn't realise Suzanne Packer was your sister (till I googled) I love Casualty...sorry that was really irrelevant.

I was useless at hurdles at school, really fast at sprinting but I think i was too short for hurdles.

I'm waffling and haven't actually asked a question

I remember Suzanne in Brookie <shows age>

Hello Colin