Linford Christie

" An Athlete can train as hard as their competitors but just not get it right when it comes to competing. As a mentor, I try to find out why this is happening and help to instil the self belief that everyone needs to perform to their best on the big occasion. "

Europe's greatest ever 100m sprinter, Linford became an Olympic 100m Champion after winning the Gold Medal in Barcelona in 1992. In an International career spanning seventeen years Linford competed over 60 times for his country and won more major championship medals (23) than any other British male sprinter. He was the British team captain from 1990, a year that saw him claim his second European Championships 100m title, and his first Commonwealth Games Gold, until his retirement from International Athletics in 1997.

Linford also set a world record in 1995 when he ran an indoor record of 20.25 for the 200m. He remains the British record holder at 100 m, with the 9.87s he ran at the 1993 World Championships.

" Some coaches are natural mentors, so I didn't ever distinguish between these roles when I was working with Katharine and Darren. I just knew from my own career that an important part of an athlete's preparation is being in a good place mentally, if everything off the track is good, then it puts you in a strong position on it. "

Amongst the numerous awards bestowed upon Linford was the prestigious 1993 'BBC Sports Personality of the Year' and 'European Athlete of the Year'. He was also appointed MBE in 1990 and OBE in 1998. In 1993 Linford formed the sports management company Nuff Respect. As well as his business interests Linford is also now a full time sprint coach, and so far in his successful coaching career, with the assistance of his own coach Ron Roddan, has helped Darren and Katharine achieve individual Olympic medals in Sydney 2000.

When speaking of mentoring Linford emphasises the important role a mentor can play.

" elitementor.com allows medals winners and high achievers to pass on these nuggets of information to all. "

Kind Regards

Linford Christie