PALO ALTO, California, 20 June 2003 — Tim Montgomery, Kelli White, Gail Devers and Maurice Greene highlight an impressive field of American athletes, vying for spots on the United States team which will compete at the World Championships this summer in Paris.
Handicappers will have their hands full this year trying to predict winners when the US Outdoor Track and Field Championships were to kick off at Stanford University.
“This is a national championships that determines the team for the Worlds,” said Inger Miller, the 1999 world outdoor silver medalist in the 100 meters. “So I think everyone feels that everyone’s in the way and they are going to bring their best.”
Retirement, injuries and some rising stars mean there should be plenty of new faces on Team USA for the Worlds.
The top three finishers in each final who have achieved the IAAF’s “A” standard will compete in Paris in August.
The absence of triple Olympic gold medallist Marion Jones creates an opportunity for White to grab the limelight. Jones is eight months pregnant with her first child, which is due on July 21.
White has the fastest times in the world this year in the 100 metres, including a wind-aided 10.79 seconds in Los Angeles earlier this month. The 2001 US champ Chryste Gaines and Miller are also threats.
With five-time defending champ Jones sitting out, there will be a new US champion in the women’s 200 meters.
Highschool sensation Allyson Felix will trying for her first US title.
The 17-year-old Felix ran the fastest time in the world this year with a 22.11 last month in Mexico City. She will be challenged by White and LaTasha Jenkins.
Montgomery, who set the world record of 9.78 seconds for the 100m in September, is the favourite for Friday’s 100m men’s final.
His arch rival Greene won’t be running in the 100m here because he gets an automatic berth in the Worlds as the reigning world champion. Justin Gatlin, who won the 100m world indoors this year, Coby Miller, J.J. Johnson and John Capel are part of an exceptionally strong 100m field.
