London - Linford Christie's "lunchbox" became the centre of attention at the High Court yesterday during the former world champion sprinter's libel action over allegations that he took performance-enhancing drugs.
Mr Christie (38) kept a packed London courtroom spellbound as he launched into his grievance against the press for continually referring to the size of his manhood. Venting his feelings of "disgust" at newspaper references to "Linford Christie's lunchbox" he was asked by the judge, Mr Justice Popplewell: "What is Linford Christie's lunchbox?"
The athlete replied: "They are making a reference to my genitals your honour. I think it's disgusting." Mr Christie went on: "I do not like it. Nobody ever mentions Sally Gunnell's tits or anything like that. It's sexual discrimination. It's totally disgusting."
His intense dislike of the term "lunchbox" emerged during the second day of his libel action against the former armed robber turned author, John McVicar.
Mr Christie, of Sherland road, Twickenham, Middlesex, who has retired from competition, is suing over a 1995 article by Mr McVicar in a satirical fortnightly magazine, Spiked, which claimed he used performance-enhancing drugs to reach the top.