Athletics: Long jump star Rutherford swaps spikes for dancing shoes

Greg Rutherford, who had to settle for bronze at the Rio Olympics, said he was facing a vastly different challenge from trying to jump the furthest into a sandpit.

London: Britain`s long jump world champion Greg Rutherford is to take a break from his day job to appear on the BBC`s popular programme `Strictly Come Dancing`, he revealed on Monday.

The 29-year-old 2012 Olympic champion, who had to settle for bronze at the Rio Olympics, said he was facing a vastly different challenge from trying to jump the furthest into a sandpit.

"I love being challenged and taking to the Strictly ballroom is like nothing I have ever done before," said Rutherford, who won the world title in 2015 and is also a two-time European champion.

"Doing this is definitely a long jump from my day job for sure!" he joked.

Rutherford, who has been honoured with a statue of himself erected in his home town of Milton Keynes in 2014, is no stranger to TV shows having appeared in five since he won the long jump at the London Olympic Games.