Andy Turner, an accomplished footballer and rugby player in his youth, made his name in athletics, winning gold in the 110m hurdles at the 2010 European Championships and Commonwealth Games.

His breakthrough came in 2006 when he won bronze at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne and European Championships in Gothenburg. The following season, a fourth-placed finish at the European Indoor Championships further highlighted his emerging talent.

Also in 2007, Turner performed admirably at the World Championships in Osaka, and was unlucky not to earn himself a place in the final. Turner found himself in the same semi-final as eventual champion Liu Xiang and future world record-holder Dayron Robles and, despite a fine run, finished 0.05 seconds outside the second fastest losers' spot.

His 2008 season was marred by injuries and, consequently, a loss of form - he only made the quarter-finals at the Beijing Olympics. In 2009, he came fourth in the 60m hurdles at the European Indoor Championships but a disappointing fifth in his 110m heat at the World Championships, although he was carrying an injury.

A gold in the 2010 European Team Championships was a timely boost as he prepared to challenge at the European Championships in Barcelona. A confident Turner got off to a flyer in the final, but trailed favourite Petr Svoboda with 30 metres to run. However, Svoboda faltered on the eighth hurdle, allowing Turner to power through and win in 13.28s.

The newly-crowned European champion later added Commonwealth gold to his medal haul - winning in Delhi in 13.38s - to end a memorable year on a high.

2011 proved to be another productive year for Turner as he took gold in the European Team Championships in Stockholm before sealing bronze in the World Championships in Daegu.

With plenty of reason to be optimistic heading into London 2012 Turner was hopeful of making the Olympic final, but the Nottingham runner just failed to make it past the semi-final heat stage.

Career high
Coming from behind to win gold in the 110m hurdles at the 2010 European Championships.

Career low
Missing out on a place in the final of the 2007 World Championships, by the smallest of margins.

Quotes
"It's a dream come true. I came here with the dream of gold. I knew I was capable, but being capable and doing it when you need to are two different things." Andy Turner, July 2010

"After winning gold at the Europeans, I just wanted to do the double." Andy Turner, October 2010

Trivia
Before forging a career in athletics, Turner blossomed as a footballer, playing for Notts County as a youngster.