Athletics: Christie sets date for exit

LINFORD CHRISTIE announced in Sydney yesterday that he would retire after the 1994 Commonwealth Games. 'I've given myself two more years, to include next year's world championships and the defence of my title at the Commonwealth Games,' Christie said.

'I think the Games will be my last competition, regardless of how well or badly I'm running.'

Christie, 32, originally announced his retirement in August last year, two days after finishing fourth in the 100 metres at the world championships in Tokyo. But with persuasion from his coach, Ron Roddan, Christie changed his mind last February and returned to take the gold medal in Barcelona.

Christie added that his next decision would stand for good. 'I believe I can go on until I'm 36 but I don't really want to - I'm going to get out on top.' Christie is training in Australia in preparation for the World Indoor Championships in Canada, along with his training partner, Colin Jackson, and Roddan.