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Houston confident after Christie prompting

Houston, right, with Christie, the former Olympic champion

Tre Houston, the Bermuda sprinter, could not have asked for better preparations for the Commonwealth Games after benefiting from several one-on-one sessions with sprint legend Linford Christie.

The Briton, who won a gold medal in the 100 metres at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, shared some of his tips of the trade with Houston at the Brunel University Sports Park in Uxbridge, London, last week.

Houston, who spent two weeks in London before making the short journey to Glasgow, where he will compete in the 100 and 200, said that Christie’s words of wisdom had further fuelled his desire his reach the finals of both his events.

“It was great to take advice from a living legend like Linford Christie,” Houston said. “The advice he gave was great and really boosted my confidence and belief that I can reach the finals and run fast in both events.

“He’s a hilarious guy and really down-to-earth, so I was privileged to work with him while I was in England preparing for the Games.”

Houston first crossed paths with Christie, who also won gold in the 100 at the 1990 Auckland and 1994 Victoria Commonwealth Games, during his two years training in London between 2010 and 2012.

He said that the feedback he received from England’s greatest sprinter had been priceless.

“I thought it would be a smart idea to have Linford look over my sessions while I was in London,” said Houston, who relocated to his namesake city in the United States last October.

“It was great to get feedback from an Olympic champion and have him help me get to the next level.”

He added: “The Games should be a great experience for me and I’d just like to thank all the coaches I’ve worked with and my parents, Lloyd and Stacy van Putten, for helping me get here.”

Houston made his Commonwealth debut in New Delhi in 2010, achieving a then-personal best in the 100 in 10.45 and reaching the semi-finals in the 200, clocking 21.25.

He ran his quickest 200 at the National Invitational and Club Championships in St Kitts and Nevis last month, posting a time of 20.81.

The 24-year-old hopes to shatter that time in Glasgow, where he arrived yesterday, as well set a personal best in the 100, which stands at 10.34.

Houston, who claimed a sprint double at last summer’s NatWest Island Games in Bermuda, competes tomorrow morning in the 100 heats at Hampden Park.