A point to prove in separate races

Gatlin equalled Powell's world record of 9.77 seconds at the Qatar Super Grand Prix on May 12 and he looks to be in good form. Despite running in separate heats, both runners will have a point to prove, especially with their big show-down in Gateshead, London, drawing closer.

At the 2005 meeting, Gatlin and Powell raced in an almost dead heat with both runners clocking a wind-aided 9.84sec, but the American was given the nod.

The two, though, being the headliners in their respective heats, will face stiff challenges from Caribbean sprinters Dwight Thomas of Jamaica and Marc Burns of Trinidad and Tobago, who clocked 10.04 for third at the Adidas Track Classic.

Also taking part in the event are Gatlin and Thomas' training partner Shawn Crawford, the reigning Olympic 200m champion, World silver medallist Michael Frater, the training partner of Powell, Leonard Scott, the World Indoor 60m champion and Francis Obikwelu of Portugal, who is the Olympic silver medallist in the 100m.

Simpson trying her luck at the dash

After two impressive 200m outings, which saw her defeating Veronica Campbell on both occasions, in-form Sherone Simpson of Jamaica heads the women's race.

Joining Simpson in the event is 2006 Commonwealth Games champion Sheri Brooks (JAM), former world champion Torri Edwards, former American champion LaTasha Colander (USA) and Bahamian veteran Chandra Sturrup.
 
Spearmon warming up for Bolt clash

Fresh from his victory in Carson last Sunday, world silver medallist Wallace Spearmon will warm up for his clash with World Junior record holder Usain Bolt at the Reebok Grand Prix with another run over the half-lap.

With Jamaican Ainsley Waugh and Rodney Martin (USA) entered in the event, Michael Johnson's meet record of 20.15 is well under threat, especially after Spearmon's world-leading 20.06 run at the Adidas Track Classic.

Another Sinclair, Mutola clash in the women's 800m

Last year Mozambique's Maria Mutola came away with a close victory over Jamaica's Kenia Sinclair in the women's 800m to take her 13th title and this year she's aiming for a record 14th consecutive wins.

However, Mutola, 33, will have to shake off the challenge which is certain to come from Jamaican World Indoor and Commonwealth Games silver medallist Kenia Sinclair, who finished behind her last year.

Guyanese season athlete Marian Burnett will also push Mutola to the wire, so too will Americans Hazel Clark and Alice Schmidt and Canadian Diane Cummins.

Williams-Darling and Richards starts early contest

The duel between Jamaican-born American Sanya Richards (49.89) and Bahamian World and Olympic champion Tonique Williams-Darling (50.28) is also one of the featured events at the Hayward Field.

After stepping down to win the 200m last Sunday, Richards will resume her rivalry with Williams-Darling, who's coming off an impressive performance against Ana Guevara. Richards said after her race on Sunday that her aim in to stay no.1 in the quarter-mile this season and if she's to do so, the world silver medallist will have to win big races, such as Sunday's clash.

The event also sees Mexican Ana Guevara, Bahamian Christine Amertil, Jamaican Novlene Williams and Adidas Classic winner Dee Dee Trotter of USA competing.

Williams-Darling defeated Richards last by three hundredth of a second.

Wide open race on the men's side

Unlike the women's race, the men's division is wide open. However, following his impressive 44.73 to defeat a strong field at the Commonwealth Games, Australian John Stevenson has been picked as the man to beat.

Looking to upstage the exciting Australian is Prefontaine defending champion Michael Blackwood of Jamaica; Alleyne Francique of Greneda, the world indoor champion and Commonwealth Games silver medal winner; Olympic relay gold medallist Darold Williamson (USA); Tyler Christopher of Canada and LaShawn Merritt, who finished second at last year's meeting.

Looming moments ahead in the hurdles

The hurdling events on the card should also have the fans on the edge of their seats.

First, the women's sprint hurdles will see the clash of two in-form athletes, Jamaican Commonwealth Games champion Brigitte Foster-Hylton and American World Champion Michelle Perry, who is coming off an impressive slightly wind-aided 12.61sec at the weekend.

The race, however, is far from a two-woman battle as former world champion Perdita Felicien, who finished third behind Perry on Sunday, is running back into form and will join Susanna Kallur of Sweden as the ones most likely to stop the favourites.

The men's race will see world champion Ladji Doucouré (Fra), Olympic champion Liu Xiang (CHN) and Americans Allen Johnson and Dominique Arnold.

Jamaicans Dean Griffiths and Ian Weakly will battle against race favourite Bershawn Jackson for the title in the men's 400m hurdles. Trinidad-born Kerron Clement, the world indoor 400m record holder will also take part in the race.

Other big names that will be on show are Russian Tatyana Tomashova and Benita Johnson of Australia in the women's 1500m, in addition to Rachid Ramzi of Bahrain, Bernard Lagat and Alex Kipchirchir of Kenya in the men's race.