The Flying Pineapple

With his blonde dreadlocks and his speed on the running track, Jamie Baulch earned the nickname 'The Flying Pineapple'. This is Jamie's story about his life as one of the most decorated British athletes. He puts his success down to his adopted parents who inspired him to be the best he could be. His sporting potential was quickly spotted from an early age by his teacher, Mr Atkins. Jamie's story is about the fun he had competing in school and around the world. His life on the track was always about how fast he could run. When he retired in 2005, he was determined not to slow down. He is now head of a sports management company and continues to inspire a new generation of sportsmen and women. About the author: Jamie Baulch was born in Nottingham, adopted by Welsh parents and brought up in Newport, South Wales. From an early age he was one of the best in his school at sport. Discovered by his teacher, Mr Atkins, Jamie became one of the most recognisable athletes in Welsh and World athletics. His first medal was in the 1991 European Junior Championships where he won gold in the men's 4x100m relay team. He became one of Britain's most decorated athletes with a huge haul of five World Championship medals, one Olympic Games medal, two European Championship medals, two Commonwealth Games medals and two IAAF World Cup medals. Recently, he was awarded a World Championship gold medal as part of the 4x400m relay team after the Americans were disqualified for using drugs.