Paul Dickenson; INSIDE OUT.
Paul Dickenson, 51, is a former discus and hammer thrower brought up in North Shields. He represented Great Britain in the 1976 and 1980 Olympic Games. His first appearance for BBC TV was commentating and reporting on the 1990 Commonwealth Games and since then he has been a regular voice in their athletics commentary team, specialising in field events. Paul has also commentated on the Winter Olympics, the World Championship Athletics and was the voice of the BBC's Britain's Strongest Man. He lives in High Wycombe with wife Ann, and two daughters, Rachel 23, and Lindsay 21.How much sleep do you need?
Very little. I don't know why but for the last 10 years I've had five hours sleep an evening.
How do you feel first thing in the morning?
Good. Generally rested.
What exercise do you take?
Most of my formal exercise is in the gym. I am keen on the idea of men and women lifting weights as research suggests it dilutes osteoporosis. I go to the athletics track, throw hammers, and occasionally discus. I also walk the dog.
Are you careful about what you eat?
I've just come back from Edmonton and I put on 4lbs eating pizzas and burgers. When I'm at home, I'll survive on fruit and cornflakes.
Are you or have you ever been overweight?
I've always been heavily built but I'm not particularly fat. My natural fighting weight before I started training was 13 stone. At my heaviest, I was 17 stone.
What foods can't you bear to eat?
I used to hate pickled herrings. My father loved obscure fish. We lived on the coast in Northumberland and he'd bring them home. I couldn't stand the taste until a year ago when I thought they were pretty good.
Do you drink or smoke too much?
Yes. Both. Anyone who smokes anything smokes too much. I never smoke at home, or if I do it's usually in the back garden. I do smoke more on trips.
Have you ever been in hospital?
Twice. I had my tonsils out as a nipper and a big back operation as a result of over training. I was at the Commonwealth Games in Brisbane in 1982, I did too much lifting one night and crushed two vertebrae.
How often do you consult your doctor?
Rarely. I can't remember the last time, which is bad for a man of my age. I know my body reasonably well and if there's a danger I check it out.
Do you think you suffer from stress?
I handle it fairly well. A great cure for stress is diverting the mind from whatever makes you stressful. I love swimming so that helps.
Do you look after your skin?
No. During the Commonwealth Games in Auckland, 1990, I had no sun block and developed a very small skin cancer on the end of my nose. I had it taken off.
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Paul Dickenson
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| Title Annotation: | Features |
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| Publication: | Daily Post (Liverpool, England) |
| Date: | Sep 11, 2001 |
| Words: | 491 |
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