The dimensions of the task awaiting Sonia O'Sullivan in the Olympic Games in Sydney were placed in stark perspective after Olga Egorova ran the fastest 5,000 metres of the year in Stockholm last evening.
Egorova, a name which scarcely figured in the Olympic calculations to this point, improved by no fewer than 12 seconds on her career-best figures when upstaging the two Ethiopians, Gete Wami and Rerartu Tulu in 14 minutes 42.91 seconds.
In a fascinating tactical race the two Africans were found wanting when Egorova kicked hard on the last lap and while Wami went in pursuit down the back straight, there was to be no way back for either her or her team-mate.
The equivalent men's race produced a gratifying success for the Kenyan, Benjamin Limo, but alas, little joy for Mark Carroll in his attempt to rewrite his own national 5,000-metres record.
Carroll, who rarely made contact with the leading group, finished in 13:09.64. He was trapped hopelessly on the inside as the race built to a climax over the last 600 metres and he could only watch and admire as Limo covered the last lap at breathtaking pace.
After the tempo had dropped in the middle stages, Limo took on the challenge of outkicking the big finishers and an astonishing last 400 metres of 54.39 seconds took him to victory in 13 minutes 04.79 seconds.
Likewise, the men's 1,500 metres built to a thrilling finish with the veteran Spaniard, Andres Dias digging deep over the last 150 metres to win in three minutes 32.76 seconds.
In the quickening countdown to the Olympics, this was the best grand prix meeting of the season so far and the point was finely illustrated by Marion Jones' fastest 100-metres run of the year.
Jones, responding perfectly to the starter's gun, was up and away in text-book style and after leading by a metre at the halfway stage, stretched away to win in a manner which bodes badly for her Olympic rivals in a wind assisted 10.68 seconds.
Earlier, Donovan Bailey, the Olympic sprint champion, and Jon Drummond, both came to grief in a 100 metres race, won in imperious style by Ato Boldon. Unnerved by repeated delays at the start, Boldon timed his run precisely to beat Obadele Thompson and Britain's Darren Campbell in 10.01. Campbell produced his best run for two years to emerge as a British Olympic medal contender by finishing third. The Belgrave runner enjoyed his most satisfying moment since his win at the 1998 European championships in Budapest as he claimed the scalp of the Olympic champion Bailey for a second consecutive race.
Campbell has worked hard under the tutelage of Linford Christie to put his career back on track since admitting that he was embarrassed by his poor performances last year.
Maria Mutola, another name likely to figure prominently in Sydney, looked as powerful as ever when wearing down the Russian, Ludmila Formanova to take the 800 metres in one minutes 57 seconds.
Suzy Hamilton, seeking to build on her 1,500 metres win in Oslo, was caught by Mutola and Formanova some 250 metres out and in a driving finish, the world champion proved the stronger.
