Steve Backley OBE

Steve Backley is a former athlete from Britain specialising in the javelin.

Although he is ranked among the great javelin throwers of the modern era Steve never won a gold medal in a major World athletics event.

He was a firm fixture in the national athletics team for over fifteen years and is the only British track and field competitor to win medals at three different Olympic Games.

He was educated at Warren Road Primary School in Orpington and later Beths Grammar School in his teens and later enrolled at Loughborough University in October 1988 to study for a BSc Honours degree in Physical Education and Sports Science and Recreation Management.

Although he completed his first year there and remained a student until 2002 the time he dedicated to the javelin prevented him from completing his studies.

His first significant title was won in 1987 when he threw 75.14 metres to pick up the European junior title.

He then went on to win four straight gold medals at the European Championships in Athletics between 1990 and 2002.