Ireland's athletics selectors are tonight expected to name Sonia O'Sullivan in their squad for the World Championships in Athens in two weeks' time. As yet, however, there is still no clear indication whether O'Sullivan, the reigning champion at 5,000 metres, will accept the invitation. She has had a sharp loss of form in recent months.

The indications are that O'Sullivan will compete, but she is likely to await the evidence of some critical training sessions in the coming week before making a final decision.

A total of 19 athletes have achieved qualifying standards for Athens, but Catherina McKiernan has already announced that she will not be a candidate for selection in the women's 10,000 metres. Additionally, there are on-going fitness doubts about Nick Sweeney, the national discus champion, who is still experiencing problems with his damaged knee. After retaining his national discus title last Sunday, Sweeney said that he would wait for some days before deciding if he was fit enough to compete in the world tests. Meanwhile, Anne Marie Larkin, who runs in the 1,500 metres, will lead Ireland's challenge in the track and field section of the European Youth Olympics, which open in Lisbon tomorrow.

Larkin runs in the heats of the 1,500 metres on Sunday evening, and on the evidence of her early season form, is expected to qualify for Tuesday's final with some ease.

The outstanding Irish contender for swimming honours is Lee Kelleher, who competes in the women's 100 metres butterfly on Sunday.

Ireland, who took four silvers and one bronze medal when the competition was last held at Bath two years' ago, will be represented by a squad of 70, drawn from seven disciplines: athletics, cycling, soccer, gymnastics, judo, swimming and yachting.