It ended a horrendous run which almost saw his career wrecked by a combination of injuries and poor form, and left the Manchester runner questioning his entire existence.

‘‘I’ve been down a very dark road, believe me,’’ said Campbell.

‘‘I love what I do and when that was taken away I don’t think people fully appreciated what it did to me. It almost took away my life.’’

Campbell opened his heart about the emotions which cost him his relationship with the mother of his young son, although the pair are now happily re-united.

‘‘My girlfriend left me because emotionally I was very down and I wasn’t being a very good father,’’ he said.

‘‘How did I feel when I went round on Christmas morning to spend a couple of hours with my son, watching him open his presents and then have to leave?

‘‘People asked me whether I thought I was the first person to consider suicide. I have a nice girlfriend, a beautiful baby, a nice house and a nice car. That kind of puts it into perspective.

‘‘I feel there is light at the end of the tunnel now.

‘‘Yes, athletics still means a lot to me but it is about balance.

‘‘I dedicated my whole life to the Olympics, now I have taken a step back and realised that I can give some time to my athletics and some time to my family.

‘‘To go out there and give such a good performance after what I have been through is pretty satisfying.’’