Julian Golding

Julian Golding

Julian Emmanuel Golding (born 17 February 1975 in London) is an English sprinter.

Julian Golding was born in Harlesden, North West London. He enjoyed playing all sports before taking up athletics seriously in 1991. He was discovered by former Olympic sprinter Mike McFarlane, after finishing second at the Westminster Schools Athletics Competition.

Julian Golding is one of Britain's fastest ever sprinters over 200 metres. His time of 20.18 seconds (-0.2) ranks him 5th on the All-Time UK rankings, with only John Regis, Christian Malcolm, Linford Christie and Darren Campbell ahead of him.

He achieved major success as an International sprinter. Winning his first International Vest for Great Britain, as a junior in 1993, his distinguished career spanned over 13 years . Julian's last Major Competition was in 2003, where he represented Great Britain at his (3rd) World Championships in Paris. Three years later, he was forced to retire prematurely, due to persistent injuries.

In 1998 at the European Championships in Budapest, he was favourite to win the Gold medal in the 200 metres. After running a series of fast times and winning both heats and semi-finals convincingly he was on route to win his first major senior title. In the 200 metre final he was beaten by team mate Doug Walker, and He disappointingly took home the Bronze medal.

Julian soon bounced back from that bitter disappointment. At the Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, he floated to a personal best time of 20.34 seconds, in the 200m semi-finals, (a time that would have won the Europeans). That performance instantly catapulted him to favourite to win the gold medal. Suffice to say, he did not disappoint, running away from a highly competitive field to win the Commonwealth Games title.

He went on to help England win their second Gold medal in the 4 x 100 metres sprint relay, running a Commonwealth Games Record in the process. A Record that still stands today at 38.20 seconds.

He has been an integral part of the Great Britain 4 x 100 metre relay team (1997–2003), winning the European Cup, European Championships, World Cup and Commonwealth Games in the same year, 1998. As well as winning the Bronze medal at the 1997 World Championships in Athens, running the last leg.

During the 1999 Athletic season, Julian won the National title in 20.20 seconds (wind assisted) and continued that form winning some high profiled International Grand Prix events. The Crystal Grand Prix is considered to be one of Julian's best performances, he won the 200 metres from a world class field in the time of 20.23 seconds, running into to strong headwind of -1.1 metres per second. Without this headwind, Julian would have probably been the second British sprinter to run under the 20 second barrier, which is considered to be the mark of true international class, (John Regis holds the UK record at 19.87 seconds). Julian went on to finish 7th in the final of the World Championships in Seville and finished the year ranked number 9 in the world.

Julian was part of 'Team GB' (4 x 100 metre relay team) at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, unfortunately the relay team were disqualified in the first round, thus ending further participation at the Olympic Games. He failed to qualify for his preferred event, due to illness at the Olympic Trials.

Julian is also an accomplished pianist and enjoys playing golf and tennis.

On July 18th 2012 Julian graduated from Middlesex University with First class Honours for Sports and Exercise Science with Teaching & Coaching. He now hopes to pursue a career as a teacher of physical education.