Backley's TV turn-off

Six of the seven went into television after careers in international athletics. Let's hope they manage better than Dean Macey, the injured decathlete, whose analysis of one Commonwealth field event performance set an all-time broadcasting low: "I fink she just fought, 'Wallop, I'll 'ave this'.''

Backley, 32, has already slated the BBC for what he saw as their comparatively meagre exposure of Commonwealth field events against the track races, which he felt was especially unjustified when the vast majority of England's athletics medals were won on the field. "It certainly hit home,'' he said.

"I got a personal message from the higher echelons of the BBC saying they want to meet and have a chat about how to do things better. That hasn't happened yet, but it will. That's positive. I didn't say it to create animosity. I said it to try to make a difference, and it has. The field events got a much better look-in at the Europeans.''

Meantime, Sidcup-based Backley is looking forward to competing at his "home'' stadium on Friday, where the meeting is a sell-out.

"We could probably have filled the place three times over. It'll be interesting to see what the crowd is like because the atmosphere in Manchester was as fantastic as everyone said. English flags everywhere, but clearly also a knowledgeable crowd, responsive to jumps and throws as well as the track. That was a tribute to the management of the events.

"I have no problem with the Manchester stadium being converted into a football ground. If a British Olympic bid in 2012 meant building a huge multi-event stadium for football, rugby, athletics and concerts, then brilliant. Why not? But any Olympic bid does have to be in London. It needs that kudos, although I would like to see events spread around the country to make it more inclusive.

"The people who made Manchester work were from all over the place. It was a testament to the nation, not just that city.''

Even Backley will not be competing in 2012, although in passing he mentions the possibility of continuing to the 2008 Olympics when he will be 39.

Olympic gold is the one prize he lacks.

"I've been around forever,'' he grinned. "I haven't lost my competitive hunger.

"When I was 20 it completely passed me by how lucky I was to be successful so young, and especially in an event where you can carry on into your mid or late-30s. I didn't even understand how difficult the event was.

"At 20 you can't imagine being 35. That's ancient. But I'll be that age at the next Olympics. In javelin that's still young enough to win. I might have another chance after that because athletes are getting older.''

The new Mrs Backley might have something to say about that. In October, he marries Clare Faulkner, his girlfriend of two years. She has no connection with athletics and had no idea who he was until she saw the stacks of medals at his house.

"I met her in a bar and was talking rubbish, so I told her I was an astronaut,'' said Backley expansively. Not such rubbish, maybe. Few stars in the British athletics firmament have shone with more allure.