Former athlete Steve Crumb reveals predictions for the 2022 Commonwealth Games

Running legend Steve Crumb, 61, cold snaps, jogging through Birmingham canals and political conversations with Sebastian Coe. .

Commenting on the Commonwealth Games. They are always very popular in the UK. Why do you think that?

It is a large multi-sport event in which about 70 countries participate.

Its influence in England has always been strong as it is the only event that divides England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Guernsey. I hope it brings additional support.

The public loves it because we win a lot of medals and people get to see some of the biggest stars.

What are you waiting for

They are strong athletes in 800m and 1500m.

My time has been looking for a clean sweep for the UK, but this time I am looking for a chance for Scotland to do something great.

That is one of those games. Even if it were to take place in England, the Scottish contingent would receive incredible support.

All eyes will be on Jake Wightman, who won gold in the 1500m at the U-22 World Championships in Oregon. what do you expect from him

I hope people give Jake a run for their money on this one. Is incredible.

After that, you will not only be physically exhausted, but also emotionally you will have to deal with it.

But on the other hand, replicating with the World Cup and the federation is not easy. He suddenly turns into a man who gets shot, which complicates things a bit.

The game will take place in Birmingham. Do you have any memories of this town?

i love birmingham. we had a lot of great nights in birmingham too but i wouldn’t go there! But I also love running through the canals.

I always think that I work in the city, where should I escape to? Having traveled many miles around Birmingham’s canals, I now know them like the back of my hand.

You have won many medals and set world records on the track. Which was more important to you? Records could last decades…

I saw it backwards. There was a record that lasted four weeks. How do you measure his success in athletics by how many events he wins and how well he does, how fast can he run or how far can he jump?

These are the first personal records, then if you’re lucky you’ll set national records, and if you’re really lucky you’ll break world records.

Both are equally important, but from a personal point of view, I have always dedicated myself to winning cases.

Can you believe that the fastest 1 mile record set in 1985 still stands today?

I didn’t expect it to last weeks! [Jakob] Ingebrigtsen approaches. I joked with Jake that he should set him up to break the record.

Today, people can get to know you well with your great comment on curling at the Winter Olympics. I love it, right?

It’s funny that he was talking to some of the Oregon teams. The United States won a gold medal at the 2018 Olympics. Of course, it’s a big sport in Canada.

I went out with some of them and they made fun of me for curling. It is a great sport.

Have you been there

I’ve got. I think we’re starting a bit late, to be honest! It’s one of those sports that seems pretty easy until you start. It’s like golf. You can’t just pick up a golf club and think you can hit the ball. Maybe I’ll pick it up again when I retire.

I found an old commercial you did for Kellogg’s Start Cereal in the ’80s. Still starting your day with a Kellogg’s cup?

No, I’m a Weetabix. But they were good days. It’s funny how people remember things. I think I did a few other commercials, but the Kellogg startup commercial that people seem to remember.

You and Seb Coe had a famous rivalry in the ’80s. Are you still falling into old habits?

I see a lot of Seb and of course I saw him in Eugene [Oregon]Usually we take the **** out of each other for something.

We usually talk about politics in weird ways. Because we are on the other side of that fence.

Sounds confrontational!

No problem! We usually talk to each other why the other is not so nice and even agree.

Follow the Commonwealth Games on BBC and iPlayer