ROME, June 5: Olympic champion Linford Christie will race American Dennis Mitchell in both the 100 and 200 metres at the Golden Gala Grand Prtx athletics event in Rome on Wednesday, organisers said, reports Reuter.

Olympic 100 metres bronze medalist Mitchell, who has been faster than Christie so far this year, had not been expected to compete in the 200 metres but decided to enter late on Tuesday.

The surprise move ensures a strong line-up for both races, with Namibia's double Olympic silver medalist Frankie Fredericks running in the 200, and Nigerian Ojapade Adeniken and American Jon Drummond competing over 100.

Mitchell -and Christie were expected to run separate 100 metres, heats, as they did here last year, but Mitchell said on Tuesday he was willing to race the Briton.