Former Olympic athlete John Regis was our expert summariser over the fortnight of track and field action at the Olympic Games.

REGIS ON THE GAMES

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Former Olympic sprinter John Regis agrees with the common consensus that the Sydney Games were the best Olympics ever staged.

He said: "It has been absolutely fantastic. The performances have been second to none and British athletics has come back to the fore again. Our athletes have had a level playing field for the first time and the results speak for themselves."

Regis is in doubt about the effect lottery funding has had on performances in Australia.

"The proof is out there. In Atlanta we only had one gold medal but now the atheletes can prepare properly.

"The medal haul was magnificent and had we had the facilities in place for ten years or so I am sure we could be as good as the Americans."

Regis also feels the British authorities should be looking towards Australia to guarantee future success.

He declared: "In Australia they have an Institute of Sport in every major city and if we could achieve the same I am sure we would produce champions across the board in sport."

As for his highlight of the Games, Regis turns to Steve Redgrave.

"His is an achievement that is unlikely to be matched. To win an endurance event at the age of 38, to put your body through the torture and come out the other side, is an amazing feat. It must go down as one of the great sporting achievements.

"Cathy Freeman was the highlight on the track for me, the way she handled the pressure was exemplary.

"As for the British performances, I thought Denis Lewis was outstanding. Jonathan Edwards did brilliantly too but Denise really came of age as an Olympic athlete out in Sydney."

He is also hopeful for the future of British athletics.

"We have a very young team who now know they can compete with the best in the world.

"I expect them to perform well at the World Championships next year and that will really set us for a successful Olympics in Athens," he said.

And as for his highlight of the Games in general?

"It has to be Eric The Eel! That showed the true Olympic spirit. He was the best sportsman his small country had to offer and while he was never going to win a medal, he was there to rub shoulders with the best swimmers in the world. Good luck to the guy."

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