Jolanda Ceplak of Slovenia in action in the 800m heats (© Getty Images)
HeusdenZolder, BelgiumTwo years ago Jolanda Ceplak ran a personal 800m-best of 1:55.19 in Heusden-Zolder, equalling Maria Mutola's lifetime best and posting the 6th all time world performance on the distance. If she's coming back to her favourite track next Saturday, she is not driven by superstition, but by the conviction that she is a serious challenger for the 800m gold in Athens.
Ceplak and archrival Mutola have confronted each other on many occasions, some of which turned out to be breathtaking. It even came to a quite assertive showdown in Budapest as Mutola had to rely on sheer guts to secure her record 6th World Indoor title. If Ceplak now proves to be in good form, there may be an exciting 800m duel to look forward to in Athens. The blonde Slovenian already holds the 2003 world leading performance on the distance, but she definitely wants to extend that lead here before heading for Athens.
Hicham El Guerrouj to regain confidence in fast 1500m.
"My allergy problems are solved and things are going unexpectedly well in training", said 1500m world champion and world record holder Hicham El Guerrouj when he asked meeting director Wilfried Meert one week ago to enter him for Heusden-Zolder. "I want a pace that can bring me inside 3:28", because I want to arrive in Athens as the world leading performer", added the Moroccon who seems to be back on track in his quest for Olympic gold.
"If any 1500m runner deserves to be the Olympic champion, it must be El Guerrouj. But I will take on the tournament like any other race, with as little pressure as possible. My next races in Heusden-Zolder and Zurich must help me to enjoy racing again. If you see me smile after saturdays 1500m, then I will feel relieved and confident." Kenyan Laban Rotich will pace El Guerrouj through the first part of the race, requiring a blistering 1:49 at the 800m mark.
Muriel Hurtis and Allyson Felix challenge local sprint star Kim Gevaert.
Kim Gevaert is looking for two more fine meetings in the last stages of her Olympic preparation. European champion Muriel Hurtis is expected to set the 200m on fire offering the Belgian a tough challenge.
"Muriel is a good friend and it is always nice to meet her on the track," says Gevaert. "This is my last 200m before Athens and I truly hope it to be a competitive one. I need to be more confident and agressive in the very first part of my race and that's what I will focus on. Of course I want to please my fans and keep the victory at home, but it will be very close. Zurich next week will be an ultimate 100m test.
"Everybody reckons my best Olympic chances lie with the 200m, but I would not forgive myself skipping the 100m in Athens. I feel physically and mentally prepared to run all the way in both events and still push it hard in the relay. Even when I guess I'll need to break my personal bests to make it through to the finals". Other 200m contenders are Lauren Hewitt, Christine Amertil and evergreen Merlene Ottey.
The women's 100m promises to be as exciting with Gevaert facing young American sprint sensation Allyson Felix.
Frankie Fredericks is opting for the short sprint distance as well. "I already have four Olympic medals in my bag and I had a wonderful time being around for 14 years in international athletics. But I want to try one more time and have no regrets in my life. I'm not talking about reaching finals in Athens, but about winning medals. I ran 20.21 the other day, therefore I'm sure I can go under 20 seconds in Athens." US Olympic qualifier Bernard Williams confronts Dwight Thomas and Patrick Stevens in the 200m.
Three World champions line up in 400m hurdles.
Nezha Bidouane (1997 and 2001), Daimi Pernia (1999), and Jana Pittman (2003) face each other in a unique confrontation between world 400m hurdles champions. 2003 world silver medallist Sandra Glover was narrowly run out of the US Olympic team and is a dangerous outsider. Pittman starts as a favourite but the amount of experience in the other lanes will make it a true test of nerves and of tactics for the Australian.
Joeri Jansen needs to throw his very best cards on the table in the 800m, if he wants to beat US Olympian Khadevis Robinson and this year's 1500m revelation Rashid Ramzi from Bahrain. Jerry Harris and Leslie Djhone will make life hard for Cedric Van Branteghem in the 400m.
Ultimate Olympic qualifying occasion.
Traditionally The KBC Night of Athletics provides an ultimate occasion for athletes to qualify for major tournaments. Amongst those to count on the slipstream of Ceplak and finish significantly inside two minutes are Zulia Calatayud, Nicole Teter and Sandra Stals.
Other Belgians expected to rise to the occasion are Tom Compernolle, Monder Rizki and Ridouane Es Saadi in the 5000m, a race in which their compatriot and triple European record holder Mohammed Mourhit is also due to participate. Double World Cross Country champion Mourhit suffered a two year drugs ban but claims excellent shape and Olympic ambitions. Discus thrower Jo Van Daele requires a near 65m attempt and will be pushed by Frantz Kruger and Michael Möllenbeck.
The women's 3000m steeplechase is not an Olympic event yet, but it offers Sigrid Vanden Bempt an occasion to shine in front of her home crowd. The strong field includes Bouchra Chaabi and Justina Bak.
The organisers announce ideal weather conditions and a capacity crowd in the marvellous setting of Heusden-Zolder. National television offers live coverage of the KBC Night of Athletics.
Ivo Hendrix for the IAAF.
