A new OU/BBC documentary ‘Linford’ looks back at the extraordinary career of one of Britain’s most successful athletes, Linford Christie.
Airing on 25th July at 8.30pm on BBC One and iPlayer, ‘Linford’ 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.
In the late 80’s and 90’s 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.
However, in 1999 everything changed when he came out of retirement for one last race and tested positive for the drug nandrolone – a scandal which saw his reputation ruined.
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.
Ben Oakley, Professor of Sports Performance Education and one of the academic consultants on the series, said:
“This 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’s drive for excellence in himself and his support of others.
“Working on this programme provided an insight into the high and lows of sporting success and life in the public eye.”
Dr Caroline Heaney, Senior Lecturer in Sport and Fitness, who also consulted on the series said:
“Linford 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.
“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’s career but also of my own athletics journey.”
Commissioned by: Dr Caroline Ogilvie, Director, Broadcast and Partnerships
Academic Consultants: Professor Ben Oakley and Dr Caroline Heaney
Broadcast Project Manager: Joanna Shipp
Supporting Online Content: Matthew Ray
This programme was commissioned by Broadcast and Partnerships and is supported by the Faculty of Wellbeing, Education and Language Studies with particular relevance to BSc (Hons) Sport, Fitness and Coaching, Diploma of Higher Education in Sport and Fitness, Cert HE in Sport, Fitness and Management, Athletic Development: a psychological perspective and Contemporary sport and exercise issues.
Visit our Broadcast & Partnerships site where you can find an animated interactive exploring why athletic performances continue to improve and why, in specific instances, they haven’t. From improved coaching to enhanced technology and diversity on the track, The Open University experts uncover the key factors helping to advance the sport.
(NB: this site may not be live or complete prior to broadcast)
Photo credit: BBC/Diverse
