Europe's greatest ever 100m sprinter, Linford became an Olympic 100m Champion after winning the Gold Medal in Barcelona in 1992. In an International career spanning seventeen years Linford competed over 60 times for his country and won more major championship medals (23) than any other British male sprinter. He was the British team captain from 1990, a year that saw him claim his second European Championships 100m title, and his first Commonwealth Games Gold, until his retirement from International Athletics in 1997.

Linford became the first man to retain the World Cup 100m crown, and in 1994 won an amazing sixth European Cup title and a third World Cup title. This total was added to in 1995 and 1996 with European Cup victories in the 100m and 200m to make him the holder of eleven titles. Unbeaten by a British athlete for eight years (until 1996) over 100m, Linford is the only European to have run below ten seconds. His fastest time, 9.87 seconds, recorded when he won the 1993 World Championship in Stuttgart, is the European record.

Amongst the numerous awards bestowed upon Linford was the prestigious 1993 'BBC Sports Personality of the Year' and 'European Athlete of the Year'.1994 proved to be another successful year, starting with a European indoor record of 6.48 seconds over 60m at Karlsruhe in March. The outdoor season started with an impressive 10.03 victory in Nurnberg and achieving his seventh AAA title when winning the 100m in 9.91 seconds in Sheffield in June, the fastest time ever run on a British track. He went on to successfully defend his European and Commonwealth titles.

Linford had a tremendous 1995 indoor season, breaking the European indoor record over 60m in a time of 6.47 seconds and in the same event in Lievin, France on 19 February, he smashed the 200m World Indoor Record in a time of 20.25 seconds. The 1995 World Championship ended with great disappointment for Linford when his hamstring tore during the 100m final. However, he came back against the best in the world in Zurich to beat the World Champion Donovan Bailey. Linford ended his season in Johannesburg with his fastest time of the year 9.97 seconds. read more

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