LINFORD CHRISTIE was sweetness itself yesterday at a press conference in the five star Berkeley Hotel to announce the decision the world has been anticipating for the last year.

"It's my duty to compete for my country," said Christie, finally putting an end to all the speculation about whether he would defend his Olympic 100 metres title in Atlanta this month. If there was a twist in the conclusion to this strange soap opera it was that he will also run the 200 metres and 4 x 100 metres relay.

So often contorted when snapped at maximum effort, the face of Britain's most successful athlete was in repose surprisingly childlike and soft as the chandeliers lit up his sculpted features. Stylishly dressed in a retro black jacket, Christie dealt with a barrage of photographers and inquisitors for more than two hours with good grace and humour.

The tortured soul, who broke down on Sport in Question last June and sobbed he was being hounded out by media pressure, was gone. He was replaced by a contented man who appeared happy with life. "Of course I believe I can win it," Christie replied when he was asked how he rated his chances in Atlanta. "There's only room for the confident in the 100 metres final."

It was unclear what finally convinced Christie to change his mind. He gave us a multitude of reasons to choose from public pressure, patriotism, soothing words of comfort from coach Ron Roddan, advice from training partner Frankie Fredericks, even England's success in Euro `96 were all put forward as reasons.

The loss of his world title last year did not indicate a man in decline because a week later he returned from injury to beat Canada's Donovan Bailey, the winner in Gothenburg, in a titanic clash in Zurich. "I believe I'm better than I was four years ago in Barcelona, more consistent," Christie said. "The difference is that I won with 9.96 seconds in 1992. I don't think that will even get a medal this year."

In Paris last Friday, Christie showed he is still up there with the best when he finished within a stride of Bruny Surin, the world silver medallist. He also beat Bailey and left behind him Jon Drummond and Ato Boldon two men who have broken 10 seconds this summer, and Leroy Burrell the world record holder.

"All year my rivals have been saying I'm going, but they were probably hoping at the back of their minds that I wouldn't " said Christie, trying unsuccessfully to suppress a grin. The decision to also compete in the 200 metres, two weeks after he said he definitely would not, and relay completed the turnaround. From not going at all, he now faces 10 races in 10 days a daunting schedule for anyone, let alone a 36 year old with a dodgy hamstring and creaky knees.

Christie, though, has not taken the longer sprint seriously since 1988 when he finished fourth in the Seoul Olympics, and world record holder Michael Johnson will probably not lose much sleep. Christie's Atlanta credentials over 100 metres will be further tested in Lausanne tomorrow night when he faces Dennis Mitchell, winner of the US trials, and Fredericks, who ran 9.87 seconds in Helsinki last week.

The Briton will also run in Oslo on Friday and complete his preparations at Crystal Palace on July 12th before travelling to America.