Ahead of Manchester United’s first home league game of the season we sat down to interview Olympic long-jump gold medalist Greg Rutherford.
Rutherford won the long-jump at London 2012 with a fantastic jump of 8.31 metres and became the first Briton to win the Olympic long jump title in 48 years.
Greg himself, is a massive Manchester United fan and the club have invited him to be presented, gold medal in hand in front of a sell out Old Trafford crowd this Saturday before they take on Fulham.
The planned presentation will be just before the teams come out on Saturday, if you are going to the game yourself do arrive early to see Rutherford and his gold medal from one of the greatest nights for British athletics in recent history.
RedMancunian interview….
How have you celebrated since winning your gold medal?
To be honest with you I haven’t really celebrated yet. I had a couple of drinks on a night out in London after I won, also a few at my homecoming in Milton Keynes, but I am competing another four times between now and the end of October so I need to stay in decent shape. The proper celebrations will come after I finish competing.
Can you describe the feeling when it was announced you had won gold for TeamGB?
Real mixture of elation, pride and relief. Very emotional.
Your personal best in the 100m is 10.26s, did you consider this or any other sports before the long jump?
Yes lots. I tried a whole variety of different sports before I settled on athletics and even then it took me a couple of years before I decided to focus on the long jump.
Your grandfather was a footballer, are you a good player yourself?
I wasn’t too bad. When I was younger I had trials with a few clubs. I was quick & strong but not particularly good technically. Basically if you put the ball over the top 9 times out of ten I’d tuck it away.
We now know that you are a Manchester United fan, what is you greatest Manchester United memory?
The epic Ryan Giggs goal v Arsenal FA Cup Semi-Final ‘99 & Eric Cantona’s goal v Liverpool FA Cup Final ‘95
Who is your favourite Manchester United player?
Paul Scholes; ginger connection
How often do you get to Old Trafford during the season?
6 or 7 times a year. Pretty much every home game before Christmas and then it gets a bit difficult after New Year as I’m back into winter training
What are your thoughts on the signings we have made this summer?
I am a big fan of Shinji Kagawa, Robin Van Persie is clearly a fantastic signing but I think he needs to settle soon. Excited to see the arrivals of Büttner & Nick Powell, both seem to be great prospects. As Sir Alex Ferguson always does, great mixture of established class players & exciting youth.
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Watch BBC Sport’s interview with Greg Rutherford below after finding out he had won Gold in the long-jump
