Darren Campbell has been one of Britain’s most successful and well known male sprinters. During 1991 and 1992 Darren became the most successful British athlete at junior level, winning four Gold and two Silver Medals at International Championships.
The Manchester-born sprinter made his debut on the senior circuit at the age of 18 as a member of the 4×100m squad for the Stuttgart World Championships in 1993. He then spent the winter of 1993/94 training in Australia with Linford Christie and Colin Jackson which led to his full introduction to senior international athletics. However, this was unfortunately interrupted by injury.
As a keen supporter, football was always Darren’s other love and having recovered from his injury he intended to follow that path. However, after two enjoyable seasons with Newport FC and Weymouth FC, he decided the time was right to return to athletics.
In 1995 following another stint of winter training with Christie, this time in Florida, Darren made his breakthrough on the World circuit, running a personal best time of 10.17 in Bratislava at the end of May ’96.
His career went from strength to strength and he continued to pick up medals in the lead up to his first Olympic success in the 2000 Olympics in Sydney where he won silver in the 200m. Four years later Darren returned to the Olympics, this time claiming Gold as part of the 4×100m relay team.
In 2005 Darren was awarded an MBE for his services to the sport and shortly after winning Gold in 2006, this time as part of the men’s 4 × 100m relay team at the European Championships, Darren announced his retirement.
He now remains an ambassador of the sport through a number of roles, including his involvement in Street Athletic and the Youth Sport Trust, and has also developed Pro-Athlete Supplementation (PAS) providing a total nutrition support package for professional athletes.
A huge supporter of Progression 08, Darren will be visiting the event as spokesperson and ambassador of excellence both inside and outside his chosen sport.
