Legendary sprinter Linford Christie OBE was awarded the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award by Sporting Equals on Saturday, recognizing his extraordinary contributions to the world of sport and society. Christie, one of Britain's most decorated athletes, has left an indelible mark on athletics, and his legacy continues to inspire future generations.

The award, presented by Sporting Equals—a charity dedicated to promoting equality in sports for ethnically diverse communities—celebrates an individual who has made a significant impact on sport and society. Christie’s accomplishments on the track, coupled with his dedication to coaching and supporting athletes, made him a fitting recipient of the honour.

Born on April 2, 1960, in Saint Andrew, Jamaica, Christie’s journey to athletic greatness began when he moved to Acton, London, at the age of seven to join his parents, who had emigrated to the United Kingdom five years earlier. Although he excelled in physical education at Henry Compton Secondary School in Fulham, it wasn’t until he was 18 that he took up athletics seriously.

Christie's rise to prominence culminated in his gold medal triumph in the 100m at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, following his silver medal performance in the same event at the 1988 Seoul Olympics. His illustrious career also saw him win World, European, and Commonwealth titles, making him the first man in history to hold all four titles in the 100m simultaneously in 1993. Christie's longstanding British 100m record of 9.87 seconds stood for nearly 30 years before being broken in 2023, cementing his place as one of the fastest men in the world.

After hanging up his spikes, Christie transitioned into coaching, where he has continued to make significant contributions to the sport. As a speed coach, he has mentored a new generation of British sprinters, including Bianca Williams, Ama Pipi, and recent England champion Darcey Kuypers. His expertise and guidance have helped shape the future of British athletics, ensuring that his impact on the sport extends far beyond his competitive years.

Sporting Equals, which was established in 1998 in partnership with the Commission for Racial Equality and Sport England, plays a vital role in promoting race equality in sport and fostering community cohesion. The organization became fully independent in 2005 and has been at the forefront of efforts to eradicate racism in sport. Co-founded by Lorraine Deschamps MBE, Angela Francis, and Beverley Mason FRSA, Sporting Equals achieved charitable status in 2007 and continues to honor individuals like Christie who have made significant contributions to both sport and society.

Sir Kenny Dalglish will be honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award at BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2023.

Dalglish, who scored 167 times in 320 appearances, lifting nine trophies for Celtic before he moved to Liverpool for a British record transfer fee at the time of £440,000, will be handed the award on Tuesday.

Dalglish would go on to become a Liverpool great and helped the club retain the European Cup against Club Brugge at Wembley in 1978 by scoring the only goal of the game.

Regarded by many at Anfield as ‘King Kenny’ and Liverpool’s greatest ever footballer, he remains the only player to score more than 100 league goals in both Scotland and England.

Dalglish insisted he would not have received this award without the help of those around him during his playing and coaching days, including players and fans.

He said: “Receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award is truly an honour.

“I have always believed in the importance of team success and I wouldn’t be where I am today without all of the players I’ve played with, the people I’ve worked for and the supporters that stood by me – so this is for them.

“My accolades would be the players I played with, the supporters that stood by me and the supporters that gave me the support and the confidence to go and play.

“For every club side and national team I’ve been involved with, I’ve always said how important it is to have the support of the fans. And the fans who support you, they’re a vital, vital part of any success.

“With all the teams, I experienced that and I can tell you it is true, they do help us.

“When we are struggling, they’re still there and they’re willing you on, trying to get a result, a positive result.”

Dalglish spent six years as manager of Liverpool from 1985 and returned to Anfield over 20 years later to replace the sacked Roy Hodgson, while he also spent time in charge of Blackburn, Newcastle and Celtic.

“To go from the dressing room to the manager’s office, I wasn’t always the most comfortable, but I had fantastic support from senior people at Liverpool,” he added.

“The most comfortable place for me as a player was in the dressing room. I missed the dressing room, but you’ve got to move on in your life and that is what destiny was telling me, move on.”

Director of BBC Sport, Barbara Slater, said: “Kenny has dedicated so much of his life to football, both on the pitch and as a manager.

“He’s broken records for club and country and always shown himself as a true leader, especially through the tragedy of Hillsborough in 1989 and the years to follow.

“Kenny is a true inspiration and a deserved winner of the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Lifetime Achievement Award.”

Veteran coaches Glen Mills, Fitz Coleman, Michael Carr and Wayne Long will receive Lifetime Achievement Awards for long and distinguished service during a ceremony set for Thursday, October 6, which is celebrated as National Coaches Day.