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Press Releases
Linford Christie tells Radio 4 he should have been asked to carry
Olympic flame
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In an exclusive 91Èȱ¬ Radio 4 interview, Linford Christie says it
was his "right" to carry the Olympic flame through the streets of
London.
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In an interview to be broadcast at 1.30pm on Sunday (22 June 2008),
Linford Christie says he should have been invited to be an
Olympic torch bearer claiming he deserved the honour as he has
been a "stalwart" of athletics and put British sprinting on the
map.
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He also tells Radio 4's On The Ropes programme that he has
achieved more than any other athlete or sportsman in Britain and
reveals a bitterness towards Lord Coe saying he "cannot stand"
his former friend.
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Asked by presenter John Humphrys about his desire to be an
Olympic torch bearer in London earlier this year, Christie
replies: "It's not that I wanted, I think there are a lot of
people who haven't achieved their want.
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"I think it should be my
right as a stalwart of our sport, I've done my country proud."
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He continues: "For me, I look at track and field and what I did
in the sport, it's like going to war.
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"I went out there and I
battled against other countries and put British sprinting on the
map and so therefore I don't think it's something I should want
to do, I think it's something I should be asked to do."
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Christie reveals his feelings towards Sebastian Coe, saying: "Seb
and I were good friends and I've known Seb for a long time and if
he felt that he had a problem with me, as you do if you are
friends, you come and say it, you come and say it to me as man to
man.
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"So, therefore, for him to go in a newspaper and say
something, then he had an agenda, and that's what I think it is,
and again what did he achieve for athletics? I'm still bitter
about him, I cannot stand the guy and, to be honest, I wish we
didn't even talk about it because I have nothing good to say
about Sebastian Coe at all, absolutely nothing."
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When Humphrys suggests that Christie's life could have turned out
differently, and he might have become Sir Linford Christie, he
replies: "You believe that? How many black knights from British
athletics do you know?"
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He says: "I think there's institutionalised racism in this country. Where
it shows its head? I don't know.
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"If you look to what we've
achieved in sport all this, nandrolone and all this thing aside,
how many knights have we had in British athletics?
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"Everyone says
ok for me if I sing my own song and blow my own trumpet, I've
achieved more single-handedly, I'd say, than any other athlete or
any other sportsman in this country."
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In the revealing interview Christie talks about moving to Britain
from Jamaica aged seven, how he was introduced to athletics and
his career highs and lows.
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He is the only British man to take
gold in Olympic, World, Commonwealth and European 100m.
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Christie
was banned for life from Olympic events after testing positive
for the banned steroid nandrolone at a meeting where he ran,
years after officially retiring from competitions.
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He was cleared
by the UK authorities and strenuously denies ever taking
performance enhancing drugs, but the international body refused to
overturn the ban.
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He now owns a management company and mentors
and coaches young athletes.
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Christie says he would not change a thing about his life, saying
he has enjoyed his athletic career and has made more friends than
enemies and he feels loved by people all over the world.
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Notes to Editors
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If any part of this press release is used please ensure a credit
for 91Èȱ¬ Radio 4's On The Ropes, 1.30pm, Sunday
22 June 2008.
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The interview will be repeated on
Tuesday 24 June at 9.30pm.
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Radio 4 Publicity
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