The quest for cool

Athletics first captured my imagination because it looked cool. Simple as that.

As an 11-year-old glued to the 1980 Olympics on telly, I didn't really marvel at the speed and stamina of Seb Coe and Steve Ovett. Instead, I loved the way the looked, was fascinated by their personalities and also the tactics they employed. I liked their snazzy Nike shoes, Coe's 'double kick' finish and Ovett's wave to the crowd.

Other kids had pop stars. I had 'Covett' and the magnificent sport of track and field.

Yet looking back, I wonder now just how 'cool' they actually were. Their performances on the track have stood the test of time, but I'm not entirely sure their tight shorts, scruffy cotton vests and moody post-race antics are massively impressive with the glorious benefit of hindsight.

Not just Coe and Ovett either. Is Steve Cram really proud of those knee-high socks when he glances at the vintage coverage on YouTube? Is Linford Christie not a little embarrassed to see the skeleton suits and suchlike that formed his racing apparel?

British athletes ruled the world – they were fast, strong and handsome. But they were also fashion disasters.

This occurred to me recently when watching episodes of athletics action from around 1990 on the vintage TV channel ESPN Classic. It may have looked fine at the time, but looking back now the Lycra leotards make me cringe. When it comes to fashion and looking 'cool', I am afraid athletics has not stood the test of time very well at all.

Other sports have fared better. Images of Seventies footballers with sideburns and straggly haircuts might look slightly strange and old-fashioned to the current generation of youngsters. Yet (Kevin Keegan's curls aside) they generally still look pretty cool.

Cycling is another great example. Despite massive changes in equipment, the likes of champagne-swigging Jacques Anquetil, po-faced 'badger' Bernard Hinault, the 'cannibal' Eddy Merckx and aerobar pioneer Greg LeMond still look cool if you look at the photos and old television coverage today.

There are other examples, too, such as tennis. Images of Bjorn Bjorg v John McEnroe at Wimbledon in the early Eighties might look dated, with Borg's wooden racket and McEnroe's headband, but they still look stylish, even after 30 years.

I think modern sportswear also reflects this, with retro clothing companies such as Rapha and Fred Perry doing big business. Giant companies like adidas and Nike also often churn out 'old school' items, while replica football shirts such as the faded yellow Brazilian shirt from Pele's era or the azzurri blue top worn by 1982 World Cup winners Italy are big sellers.

Indeed, I still have some ancient Tour de France replica cycling tops that look great today, but unfortunately I cannot say the same for my old athletics singlets. Also, is it possible to buy vintage athletics clothing in the same way we can get football and cycling tops? I don't think so.

Of course not everything about the athletics of yesteryear is 'uncool'. The moustachioed Dave Bedford, complete with red socks and two fingers to the crowd, is one example of how athletics could be cool when it tried (or perhaps when it didn't try). Roger Bannister, with his heavy leather spikes and casual “I don't train much” mantra, is another example. In fact I would also say that running has also stood the test of time rather better than track and field.

Given all this, I wonder if the athletes of today will be remembered as being cool when we look back at them in 20 years' time. Also, just how 'cool' is modern athletics compared to more 'in vogue' sports and pastimes like mountain biking, surfing, skateboarding, snowboarding, triathlon, basketball and parkour?

The answer – I hope – is that, yes, today's athletes will be remembered as being super-cool. For starters, the London Olympics is going to be an iconic event and perfect platform for track and field stars to shine.

Mo Farah will bring his goaty beard and killer kick; Phillips Idowu his piercings and (surely) golden haircut; Jessica Ennis her winning smile; Dai Greene his Spartan warrior shaved head; Paula Radcliffe her Samurai spirit and trademark red ribbon.