Tributes are pouring in for Christian Small, who died in the terrorist bombings.

Christian, 28, a talented hurdler who competed with Enfield and Haringey Athletics Club, was killed in an explosion as he travelled to work on the Piccadilly Line at Russell Square on Thursday, July 7.

He was last seen leaving his home in Garner Road, Walthamstow, for work in Holborn at 8am. His death was confirmed on Monday after an inquest was opened and adjourned at St Pancras Coroners Court.

Christian's family, including his father Charles, and friends were too upset to talk to the Independent but his coach Eric Brees was willing to pay tribute.

He said: "We are all very sad. Christian was a positive, popular, talented and clean living young man.

"You could not have asked for a nicer man. He helped people and blended in with the team."

He said Christian joined the club in 2004 as a novice athlete.

Mr Brees added: "He knew where he wanted to go. He progressed up the ladder well, going from Division Three in the Southern Athletics League to Division One at the top.

"It was all down to his hard work and dedication, out in the cold nights and putting in extra sessions.

"We will all miss him."

The last competition Christian competed in was the London Inter-Club Challenge on July 2 at the New River Stadium in Haringey.

He came second in the 110 metre hurdles with a time of 16.55 seconds.

In May at the Middlesex County Championships he won a gold medal.

The club's coaching co-ordinator and coaching secretary Peter Wells said his club mates were devastated by Christian's death.

He said: "He was a talented athlete. He was certainly at a national level and you don't get many very good hurdlers, Christian was very good.

"He was a very nice guy and will be missed by everyone who knew him.

"It came to light he had been caught up in what happened on the Saturday after the bombings during a Southern League meeting.

"Everyone was devastated and a couple of the athletes were so upset they decided they couldn't compete and went home."

Following a trip to Africa, Christian changed his name to Njoya Diawara-Small, which means a man of strong spirit.

He worked for a marketing company and has a younger sister called Tameka.