Being a decathlete is like having ten girlfriends. You have to love them all, and you can't afford losing one.

There's no day when I don't think it would be great to be 25 years old and have the Olympics coming in less than 300 days - and be the best in the world. I can't think of anything so motivating.

For kids it's natural to be competitive.

I've still got a small fitness and conditioning business where I travel round the world doing stuff for individuals and corporations, mainly fitness training.

When we stage the Olympics it will inspire kids all over the country. A kid in Scotland or Ireland will be encouraged to take up sport.

But if kids take up things like hockey and football they will go back to it.

Being a decathlete is like having ten girlfriends. You have to love them all, and you can't afford losing one.