Athletics: Christie speaks out

LINFORD CHRISTIE spoke yesterday for the first time of the sacking of Andy Norman.

Norman, who has previously managed the competitive racing programme of athletes including Christie and Colin Jackson in his capacity as the Britsih Athletic Federation's promotions officer, was dismissed for spreading unfounded rumours of sexual harassment against the journalist-coach Cliff Temple, who committed suicide.

Christie said: 'British athletics is a product of Andy Norman. He is a great organiser and it was obvious during the winter that the organisation was faltering because Andy was not around to sort things out.

'He had his bad ways, but always delivered. Maybe the Federation relied too much on him. Whoever takes over should learn from him. Andy has done it all and you should never throw away the blueprint.'

Christie also announced that he will run in the Goodwill Games in St Petersburg in July.