Linford Christie

Linford Christie (born April 2, 1960) is a former British athlete.

Related Topics:
April 2 - 1960 - British - Athlete

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Born in Saint Andrew, Jamaica, Christie followed his parents, who had emigrated five years before, to Britain at the age of seven. He did not take up athletics until he was 19.

Related Topics:
Saint Andrew - Jamaica - Athletics

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In 1986, he was the surprise winner of the 100 m at the European Championships and finished second at the Commonwealth Games.

Related Topics:
1986 - 100 m - European Championships - Commonwealth Games

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At the 1988 Summer Olympics, Christie won silver behind Carl Lewis, though only after Ben Johnson, who set a new World Record in 9.79 seconds, had been disqualified for a doping offence. In fact, Christie's urine also contained metabolites of a banned substance, however he was not stripped of his silver medal.

Related Topics:
1988 Summer Olympics - Carl Lewis - Ben Johnson

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In 1992, he succeeded Allan Wells as a British Olympic 100 m champion, winning the title ahead of Namibian Frankie Fredericks. In 1993, he became the first man in history to hold the Olympic, World,

Related Topics:
1992 - Allan Wells - Namibia - Frankie Fredericks - 1993

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European and Commonwealth titles in the 100 m as he was victorious at the Stuttgart World Championships. He also became the BBC Sports Personality of the Year.

Related Topics:
European - Stuttgart - BBC Sports Personality of the Year

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After 1994, he was less successful. Christie was disqualified in the 1996 Olympic final after two false starts, and in 1999, he was found guilty of using the banned drug nandrolone. Although the (now defunct) British athletic federation found him to be not guilty, the IAAF overruled and confirmed the suspension. Christie, who had for some time been focusing on coaching, subsequently retired.

Related Topics:
1994 - 1996 - 1999 - Nandrolone - IAAF

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Christie's famous claim that he started races on the "B of the Bang" inspired a spectacular sculpture of the same name, officially unveiled by Christie in Manchester in 2004. It celebrates the Commonwealth Games held in the city in 2002.

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