Steve Backley's Biography

Steve Backley was born on 12 February, 1969 in Sidcup, Kent.

Steve's father John Backley was a policeman, who had been a strong middle-distance runner in the North-east of England.

Steve Backley won his first major javelin title in 1990.

Subsequently he broke the world record several times and won European gold in 1990, 1994, 1998, and 2002, as well as Commonwealth gold in 1990, 1994, and 2002.

However, it was a case of 'so near yet so far' for Backley in the Olympics and in the World Championships.

Czech thrower Jan Zelezny beat Steve Backley into second place at the 1996 and 2000 Olympic Games. In 1992 Backley had picked up bronze in the Olympics.

After his fourth place in Athens in 2004, Steve Backley retired from javelin throwing.

Steve Backley was awarded the MBE in 1995 and the OBE in 2003.

Steve Backley has put together an excellent range of advice for budding athletes in Lessons I Have Learned for the BBC.

In Dancing on Ice in 2008, the 6'5" Backley danced with Susie Lipanova.

Steve Backley needed to be slightly cautious on Dancing on Ice as he had a hip replacement just a couple of years previously because of a childhood car accident and the wear and tear of throwing the javelin.

In weeks three, four, five, and six Steve Backley and Susie Lipanova were in four consecutive skate-offs in Dancing on Ice. The first three they survived, but Steve and Susie were eliminated in the sixth week of Dancing on Ice.