by Greg Heakes
PALO ALTO, California, June 18 (AFP) - Tim Montgomery,Kelli White, Gail Devers and Maurice Greene highlight animpressive field of American athletes, vying for spotson the United States team which will compete at theWorld Championships this summer in Paris.
Handicappers will have their hands full this yeartrying to predict winners when the US Outdoor Track andField Championships kick off on Thursday at StanfordUniversity.
This is a national championships that determines theteam for the Worlds,'' said Inger Miller, the 1999 worldoutdoor silver medallist in the 100 metres. So I thinkeveryone feels that everyone’s in the way and they aregoing to bring their best.’’
Retirement, injuries and some rising stars mean thereshould be plenty of new faces on Team USA for theWorlds.
The top three finishers in each final who haveachieved the IAAF’s A'' standard will compete in Parisin August. The absence of triple Olympic gold medallist MarionJones creates an opportunity for White to grab thelimelight. Jones is eight months pregnant with her firstchild, which is due on July 21. White has the fastest times in the world this year inthe 100 metres, including a wind-aided 10.79 seconds inLos Angeles earlier this month. The 2001 US champ Chryste Gaines and Miller are alsothreats. With five-time defending champ Jones sitting out,there will be a new US champion in the women's 200metres. Highschool sensation Allyson Felix will trying for herfirst US title. The 17-year-old Felix ran the fastest time in theworld this year with a 22.11 last month in Mexico City. She will be challenged by White and LaTasha Jenkins. My goal is to make the team,’’ said Felix. I amexcited, because I know if I make it the experience willbenefit me.'' Montgomery, who set the world record of 9.78 secondsfor the 100m in September, is the favourite for Friday's100m men's final. His arch rival Greene won't be running in the 100mhere because he gets an automatic berth in the Worlds asthe reigning world champion. Greene said he plans to follow the advice of his coachand focus solely on the 200m final on Saturday. Justin Gatlin, who won the 100m world indoors thisyear, Coby Miller, J.J. Johnson and John Capel are partof an exceptionally strong 100m field. Me and my friends have been talking about whatsgoing to happen (100m), and nobody can say they areautomatically on the team. Except me,’’ Greene said.You might have an upset and you might have a newcomercome along to make the team.'' The 21-year-old Gatlin is recovering from a hamstringinjury but says that won't affect him. I don’t train to finish second or third,’’ he saidon Wednesday.
Three-time world outdoor champion Devers plans todouble in the 100m and 100m hurdles.
At 36, Devers is one of the oldest competitors at thenationals, and she will be up against 26-year-old MieshaMcKelvy in the hurdles. McKelvy posted a personal bestof 12.51 seconds at the Prefontaine Classic this year.
The men’s 110m hurdles should come down to a duelbetween Allen Johnson and Larry Wade, while look forKevin Toth, Adam Nelson and John Godina to square off ina tightly-contested shot put event.
World record holder and Olympic gold medallist StacyDragila seems untouchable in the women’s pole vault.
The United States is becoming a force again in the 400metres, led by 1997 world bronze medallist TyreeWashington, who is returning to form.
Washington will be challenged by Corey Nelson, DerrickBrew and Jerome Young as well as 22-year-old AdamSteele, who ran the fastest 400m of the year last weekin 44.57.