• Athletics

I was in a bad place, but Linford saved me - Lewis-Francis

ESPN staff
July 30, 2010
Mark Lewis-Francis raced to a surprise silver medal at the European Championships © Getty Images
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Mark Lewis-Francis has admitted that he "was in a very bad place" before he linked up with coach Linford Christie - who he credits with saving his career.

Lewis-Francis stormed to a surprise silver medal in the men's 100 metres at the European Championships on Wednesday - a rare high point after a difficult last few years.

The 27-year-old had suffered so severely with injuries - he was forced to undergo operations on each Achilles tendon - that he saw his Lottery support funds ripped from under him.

But he has battled his way back to the forefront of European sprinting thanks to the help of Olympic champion Christie.

"I was in a very bad place," Lewis-Francis said. "Physically and mentally I had no emotion, I didn't know if I could carry on. He gave me the belief again.

"I kept thinking, 'am I too old to come back?'. But Linford was 32 when he won gold. That's what he told me, 'I did it, so you can'. He's coached legends in the past, so that spurred me on. You've got to give him credit, I don't think he gets enough."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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