ATHLETICS: Sonia O'Sullivan should have the track to herself when she competes over 3,000 metres at this evening's North Down International Games in Bangor, writes Ian O'Riordan.
The race, which was added to the meeting at O'Sullivan's request, is more likely to act as a time trial, but it is also an important test of form as she seeks a confidence boost for the upcoming World Championships in Paris.
While a small field has been assembled to line up alongside the Olympic silver medallist, none of them should stay with O'Sullivan for very long. Her target finish will be under eight minutes 45 seconds, the sort of time she has failed to run this year yet is deemed essential if she is to raise a challenge over 5,000 metres in Paris.
Paul McKee, a specialist over 400 metres, is down to run the 200 against Irish record holder Paul Brizzell.
Several other Irish athletes are in action this weekend, with Cathal Lombard, Breeda Dennehy-Willis, Marie Davenport and Una English all set to run over 5,000 metres in Heusden, Belgium, tomorrow. Robert Connolly, recent European under-23 bronze medallist over 5,000 metres, runs in Lappeenranta, Finland, on Sunday.
