IOC 'disappointed' by Christie's involvement in torch relay

LONDON, England (AP) -- The International Olympic Committee was "surprised and disappointed" to learn that 1992 gold medallist Linford Christie has been invited to run a leg in the torch relay for the Beijing Games when it comes to Britain.

Christie, serving a lifetime Olympic ban after receiving a two-year suspension for testing positive for nandrolone in 1999, was reportedly invited to run by London Mayor Ken Livingstone.

"The IOC has not been consulted about this and we wish we had been as we would have certainly strongly recommended not to give an invitation to an athlete who has an Olympic ban," IOC spokeswoman Emmanuelle Moreau said Thursday.

"We were surprised and disappointed and we wish we had been consulted."

British Olympic Association chairman Colin Moynihan also is against Christie's participation, according to an article posted on The Times of London's web site.

"I have been crystal clear at Olympic board level that no banned athlete should be allowed to carry the flame," Moynihan said.

The mayor's office would not confirm the invitation, but Christie's agent, Sue Barrett, told The Times that the former sprinter received an invitation last year.

"Yes, they have invited him," Barrett said. "If he is around, he would be delighted to accept. We will know his schedule in a couple of weeks."

Christie won the 100 meters at the 1992 Barcelona Games, but his positive doping test -- which came at a small meet while he was virtually retired -- led to a lifetime Olympic ban from the BOA.

Christie would be one of 80 runners in the relay, which will be held April 6 in the host city for the 2012 Olympics. E-mail to a friend

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