July 16, 2024 – BBC Factual presents Linford, a no-holds barred 90 minute film for BBC One and iPlayer, with unfettered access to athlete Linford Christie, as he talks exclusively about the highs and lows of a glittering athletics career, from the glory of winning Olympic gold to the impact of failing a drugs test after coming out of retirement for one last race.

Linford, a 1×90‘ for BBC One and iPlayer, is made by Story Films. It was commissioned by Jack Bootle, Head of Commissioning, Specialist Factual. The Executive Producers are Peter Beard, Pamela Gordon and Adam Hopkins, the Director is Kwabena Oppong and the Producer is Marian Edusei. The Commissioning Editor is Simon Young, Head of Commissioning, History. It was Co-produced by The Open University.

Interview with Linford Christie

Why did you want to make this programme and tell your story now?

I have been asked to do a documentary on my life for over 15 years. I was finally convinced to do it by my friends and it’s something that my kids can look back on and pass onto their kids.

What do you hope viewers will take away from this film?

That despite all the hard work and dedication you put in, you will always have set backs and obstacles thrown at you. The important thing is that you believe in yourself and don’t worry about people who don’t support you.

What was the biggest thing you learnt about yourself making this film, and was it emotional to revisit your past?

I am not the type of person who naturally looks back and reflects, so that was difficult for me to do but it has made me appreciate how far I have come and how lucky I am to have some great people around me.

What are your plans for the future?

Continue to work in the sport I love, helping others make the most of their talents. We ran a youth engagement programme called Street Athletics for 12 years (2005 – 2017), which was funded by the Home Office and Department Of Justice in Scotland and I would love to continue to work with the disengaged, hard to reach, young people in the areas of high deprivation.

What advice would you give to a young athlete starting out in their career?

Work hard, enjoy training and believe in yourself.

BBC Factual presents Linford, a no-holds barred 90 minute film for BBC One and iPlayer, with unfettered access to athlete Linford Christie, as he talks exclusively about the highs and lows of a glittering athletics career, from the glory of winning Olympic gold to the impact of failing a drugs test after coming out of retirement for one last race.

Linford, a 1×90‘ for BBC One and iPlayer, is made by Story Films. It was commissioned by Jack Bootle, Head of Commissioning, Specialist Factual. The Executive Producers are Peter Beard, Pamela Gordon and Adam Hopkins, the Director is Kwabena Oppong and the Producer is Marian Edusei. The Commissioning Editor is Simon Young, Head of Commissioning, History. It was Co-produced by The Open University.

Watch Linford on BBC iPlayer and BBC One from Thursday 25 July at 8.30pm.