Allan shows athletics pace at 84

It's not every day you meet an 84-year-old athletics coach who can give you a run for your money but boy, Allan Meddings certainly can!

Not only does he still have a fast pace for his age, he retired from competing only in the last 10 years.

Since hanging up his running shoes, you can expect to find the amateur athlete imparting his vast knowledge to pupils at St Edmund's Catholic School in Wolverhampton, where he has been coaching for 11 years.

Video journalist Nicky Butler went along to meet the sprightly 84-year-old in order to find out his secret.

Allan has been to far flung destinations in a bid to make the top step of the podium at veterans athletics meetings around the world.

The jet-setting grandfather-of-four has flew out to Japan, Australia and even Puerto Rico in search of sporting glory.

But he says he is just as happy passing on the baton to the next generation of children at a Wolverhampton school.

Mr Meddings has been teaching the art of athletics to children at St Edmunds Catholic School, in Compton Road West, over the past decade.

And he says the upcoming Olympics has rejuvenated interest in the sport among the youngsters attending his classes.

"It is very rewarding when you get a response from the children and that is why I enjoy it to this day," said Mr Meddings who lives with his wife of 61 years Hilda in Yew Tree Lane, Tettenhall.

"Athletes like Usain Bolt are just phenomenal and you just hope that he stays fit for London because to see him perform is like poetry in motion for everyone."

Mr Meddings was a keen sprinter taking part in 100m, 200m and 400m races including relays since he was a schoolboy.

He first joined Wolverhampton Harriers athletics club in around 1941 racing at venues including the NALGO (National and Local Government Officers' Association) stadium in Tettenhall taking part in athletics meetings across the region.

Mr Meddings worked at Stafford Road Railworks but volunteered for the army towards the end of the Second World War serving for the military police in locations such as Italy.

He took up his hobby again after finishing National Service in 1948 eventually joining Birchfield Harriers athletics club, in Perry Barr, to take part in sprints events.

"I took up the sport really as I knew I was quite good at sprinting and naturally I wanted to be successful," Mr Meddings said.

Mr Meddings also ran in Masters events for veterans athletes aged 55 and over, competing in Australia, the USA, Germany and Canada

He won his first world title in Japan in 1993 when he finished 1st in the 100m and 2nd in the 200m.

It total, he claimed seven world titles and nine European championships before a hip injury forced him to finish competing in his 70s.

Ever since he has been giving his top tips for sprinting to up and coming athletes.