Christie in peak form

Athletics

Linford Christie reinforced his belief that it was only his hamstring injury that deprived him of the world title in Gothenburg as he beat the gold medallist in Sweden, Donovan Bailey, for the second time in 10 days in the 100 metres in Brussels last night.

Christie followed up his win in Zurich, running 10.08sec ahead of the Nigerian Olapade Adeniken and the American Jon Drummond, with the Canadian Bailey a labouring fifth in 10.22 The success took him nearer a share in pounds 160,000-worth of gold bars, on offer for a 100 per cent record in the "Golden Four" grand prix meetings.

Christie, now taking painkillers for a persistent knee problem, won the first in Oslo last month and now bids to complete a clean sweep in Berlin next Friday. Despite his performance Christie confirmed that he would not defend his title at the Atlanta Olympics next year although he is expected to continue running on the grand prix circuit.

Sonia O'Sullivan, the world champion, also remained on course for a share of the gold-bar jackpot by ditching a dogged Kenyan challenge with a lap and a half to go in the 5,000m. The pride of Ireland raced home 40 metres clear, but her attack on Fernanda Ribeiro's five-week-old world record of 14:36.45 ran out of steam.

There was a world record set last night, however, when Mozambique's Maria Mutola clocked 2min 29.33sec. The previous record of 2:30.67 was set by the former East German Christine Wachtel in Berlin in August 1990.