Former athlete Steve Cram reveals his Commonwealth Games 2022 predictions

Athletics legend Steve Cram, 61, on cool curling, running around canals in Birmingham and talking politics with Sebastian Coe.

It’s a big event in terms of its size because it’s multi-sport and there’s around 70 countries taking part.

Its impact in the UK has always been strong because it’s the one event where we split into England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Guernsey and the rest of it. I think that brings added support.

The public love it though because we win a lot of medals and the crowds get to see some of the biggest stars.

There are strong athletes in the 800m and 1500m.

Back in my day we were looking for an English clean sweep but this time we’re looking at a Scottish chance of doing something incredible.

That’s one of the things about these Games, even though they’re being held in England, the Scottish contingent will get incredible support.

I hope people give Jake a bit of wriggle room on this. I was chatting to him and his dad after he won at the Worlds and it’s an incredible thing to have happen to you.

You’re not only exhausted physically afterwards – but emotionally he’ll be dealing with it as well. He’s got a brilliant temperament so it won’t affect him in a negative way, I’m sure.

But on the other hand, doing the double with the Worlds and Commonwealth isn’t easy. He’s suddenly the man to be shot at and that makes things a little bit more difficult.

I love Birmingham. I’ve had lots of great nights out in Birmingham too, which I shan’t go into here! But I also really love running along the canals.

When I go to a city to work in, I’m always thinking where can I run? I know the canals like the back of my hand now as I’ve run many, many miles up and down the canals of Birmingham.

I used to look at it