‘Darren has provided more
than just a highly readable account of his life and athletics career, he also
gives a fascinating insight into him as a person, and has shared with us all
how the many events in his celebrated life were shaped by a background that has
created resilience and integrity, both on the track and off it.’
Denise Lewis OBE
‘I first met Darren when he was 14 years old and he
had the ability to charm everyone he met and make them believe that he would be
good at whatever he set his mind to. Over the years, I realised that there
was a deep thinker behind that smile and the only person who could stop him
achieving his goals was himself ... some of my proudest moments in athletics
have been helping Darren achieve his dreams. He is family and always will be.’
Linford Christie OBE
‘Olympic gold and silver medals are but part of the
story. Few of us can relate to the elation generated by the unforgettable
sprint relay glory of Athens in 2004, just as the murder of a friend brings a
darkness too terrifying for most of us to comprehend. Some have been tempted to
describe a dropped baton in a relay race as a tragedy. Darren Campbell knows
better.’
Mike Costello, BBC Radio 5Live
Olympic
gold medallist Darren Campbell is one of Britain’s most successful and popular
athletes, yet the real story behind his success
has not been made public, until now.
Track Record, his long-awaited autobiography, reveals how a
boy from painfully humble beginnings in Manchester - who suffered bullying at school and faced racism n a daily basis - was inspired by Carl Lewis' quadruple gold medal performance at the 1984 Olympics to harness
his athletic ability and break out of a cycle of misbehaviour and petty crime to
enjoy huge success in sport, business and as a broadcaster.
Despite his early promise as a
young sprinter Darren explains how, totally disillusioned with the use of
performance-enhancing drugs in athletics, he turned to football where he played
at a semi-professional level for Cwmbrân Town, Weymouth FC and was offered a
contract at Plymouth Argyle. His realisation, however, that he could either
continue to be a decent lower league footballer, or return to the track and
become a world class sprinter, saw him link-up with coach Linford Christie and
achieve great success, winning a host of gold, silver and bronze medals at
major championships, including silver in the 200m at the 2000 Sydney Olympics,
and gold in the 4 x 100m at the 2004 Athens Olympics.
Spurred into finally telling his story after suffering a life-threatening condition in
2018, Track Record is the heart-warming
and inspirational life-story of a talented, principled and determined man who overcame economic poverty and racial prejudice to triumph on the
athletic tracks of the world.
Contents
Preface by Mike Costello
Foreword by Denise Lewis
Prologue: Running in the Wrong Direction
1. Moss Side
2. Sale Racecourse
3. Newport
4. Wilderness
5. Atlanta
6. Budapest
7. Sydney
8. Manchester
9. Athens
10. Retirement
11. Coach
Epilogue: The Toughest Race of My Life
Record of Achievement