Greg Rutherford sits the Pop Quiz

European long jump silver medallist Greg Rutherford has a passion for the 400m, and William the Conqueror but whatever you do don’t mention the hair. Before he sets off for the European Indoor Championships in Turin, he reveals all in his spikesmag.com Pop Quiz.

What did you have for breakfast today?
GR: It was not good. I was on the move so only a large coffee... but I did have a sandwich at 10am.

Who would play you in a film and why?
GR: I’d have to pick a ginger actor really. I don’t know. Jason Statham, I know he’s not ginger but I’m going to go for him. [You and Usain Bolt?! - ED]

What colour is Wednesday?
GR: Blue just came into my head.

If you could have a superpower what would it be and why?
GR: Probably to fly because it works quite well for my event. If I could fly, I'd fly when I was jumping and make it look like I was jumping.

What is your theme tune?
GR: What has helped me at the moment with my run up is a trance tune Mauro Picotto’s Lizard. It has been a big favourite of mine for a long time.

How much money do you have in your pocket at the moment?
GR: £2.37.

Who is the most famous person on your mobile?
GR: I don’t want to tell him because it will boost his ego... Christian Malcolm.

What is the most expensive phone bill you’ve ever wracked up?
GR: It was when I was 16 years old and I convinced my mum to go on contract and I wracked up a £370 bill. We went to France and I was ringing a girl from the UK. It didn’t last and she turned out not to be a very nice individual.

What is the least favourite part of your body?
GR: My hair. It is ginger and has been the bain of my life. Since day one the stick you get is unbelievable. I’ve endured 22 years now of horribleness because I’ve got ginger hair. It still goes on now. I was once called copperknob – my mates thought it was the funniest thing but, of course, they soon forget the copper bit.

If you could star in another athletics event what would it be and why?
GR: I would say the 400m. I’m quite close with Tim Benjamin and I know the levels of pain he had to go through to do well in it. I remember when I was younger I had an asthma attack after I ran it. In the UK the 400m is a very popular event and people have a lot of respect for it.

Which nation has the coolest kit?
GR: I like the USA kit. The German kit at the European Juniors in 2005 was beautiful, absolutely beautiful.

Could you describe your perfect day?
GR: I spend the day on top of a mountain somewhere with some skis attached to my feet. I was a skier, although I’ve not done it for a few years now. I miss skiing massively. I’d round it off with a nice crepe and an Americano.

What’s the one item that you can’t leave behind on the European circuit?
GR: My long Nike socks that I compete in. I’ve got it into my head because I compete in them all the time, I have to have them.

What came first the chicken or the egg?
GR: The chicken. I have a slight belief in God and when the chicken was created and it would have been the chicken first and it would sit there and hatch.

If you could play another sport other than athletics what would it to be?
GR: Rugby. All the rugby players I’ve met are really smart and good conversationalists. It’s a really good, fun sport to be involved in and the team seem to be closer than in football.

If you could be an animal what would you be and why?
GR: An elephant. It is my favourite animal. Just a big powerful animal it walks around and not much can really affect it.

Favourite karaoke tune?
GR: I’ve normally shied away from it but my best friend got that Lips and against everyone else me and him were undefeated. We sang Stand By Me by Ben E. King

If you could have five dinner party guest who would you have and why?
GR: Lee Evans for comedy value, Kanye West for the music, my girlfriend, Liz, who would kill me if I didn’t mention her, Alex Ferguson because I think he would be well controversial and William the Conqueror... there’s a random one. I’m quite into my history and the Battle of Hastings is my favourite part of history and I’d be interested to know more about him.