A new OU\/BBC documentary \u2018Linford\u2019 looks back at the extraordinary career of one of Britain\u2019s most successful athletes, Linford Christie.<\/p>\n
Airing on 25th<\/sup> July at 8.30pm on BBC One<\/a> and iPlayer,<\/a> \u2018Linford\u2019 delves into the life of the man who was once the most feted athlete in Britain until his career closed with a scandal that shocked the nation.<\/p>\n In the late 80\u2019s and 90\u2019s Linford Christie dominated the world of sprinting, winning successive golds at the Olympic Games, World Championships, European Championships and Commonwealth Games. His victories united the nation in celebration and prompted endless media coverage of his life.<\/p>\n However, in 1999 everything changed when he came out of retirement for one last race and tested positive for the drug nandrolone \u2013 a scandal which saw his reputation ruined.<\/p>\n Now, twenty-five years on, Linford is daring to confront his complicated legacy in a story about respect and reputation in an era of unchecked racism and tabloid power.<\/p>\n Ben Oakley, Professor of Sports Performance Education<\/a> and one of the academic consultants on the series, said:<\/p>\n \u201cThis is an athletics career story with many interesting chapters which provokes us to consider what it takes to make it to the top but also survive racism and media scrutiny. British sporting success was in short supply in the 1990s but what shines through is Linford\u2019s drive for excellence in himself and his support of others.<\/em><\/p>\n “Working on this programme provided an insight into the high and lows of sporting success and life in the public eye.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Dr Caroline Heaney, Senior Lecturer in Sport and Fitness,<\/a> who also consulted on the series said:<\/p>\n \u201cLinford Christie really signifies the golden era of athletics in the 1990s. He won everything there was to win including Olympic, World, Commonwealth and European titles. He was a big character on and off the track and this documentary explores his journey without shying away from the difficult topics like the racism he experienced and his drugs ban.<\/em><\/p>\n “As a track and field athlete competing in the 1990s Linford Christie was always a hero of mine and so working on this documentary was a huge honour. It bought back lots of memories not just of Linford\u2019s career but also of my own athletics journey.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Commissioned by: Dr Caroline Ogilvie, Director, Broadcast and Partnerships<\/strong><\/p>\n Academic Consultants: Professor Ben Oakley <\/strong>and Dr Caroline Heaney<\/strong><\/p>\n Broadcast Project Manager: Joanna Shipp<\/strong><\/p>\n Supporting Online Content: Matthew Ray<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong>This programme was commissioned by Broadcast and Partnerships<\/a> and is supported by the Faculty of Wellbeing, Education and Language Studies with particular relevance to BSc (Hons) Sport, Fitness and Coaching,<\/a> Diploma of Higher Education in Sport and Fitness<\/a>, Cert HE in Sport, Fitness and Management<\/a>, Athletic Development: a psychological perspective<\/a> and Contemporary sport and exercise issues.<\/a><\/p>\n