It's hard to see anybody beating the Kenyan-born Dane and world record holder, Wilson Kipketer, when he's in top shape. And all the races this season indicate he is.

Most people believe the 20-year-old Kenyan Japhet Kimatui is perhaps the only man who can seriously challenge him. Second fastest in the world this year behind Kipketer with his one minute 42.98 seconds, he mightn't have the championship experience, but he certainly has the speed.

But with Kipketer fully recovered from the bout of malaria which bugged him last season, a third successive gold medal should be a mere formality. Inspiration as well, perhaps, from Gabriela Szabo, who put the Golden League jinx to sleep with a win over 5,000 metres last night.