Women's long jump
Who will spoil the ambitions of Marion Jones? The jump for gold this evening should come down to one of these four:
Marion Jones (US). Age: 23. Personal Best: 7.31 metres. This is stop number two in her pursuit of four gold medals, and probably the most difficult. Was unbeaten in the event last season until her last competition of the year and has already lost twice this year.
Fiona May (Italy). Age: 29. Personal Best: 7.11 metres. The former British jumper took gold at the 1995 World Championships in Gothenburg, silver in Atlanta, bronze in Athens and silver again in the European Championships last summer. The leading qualifier on Saturday with 7.04 metres, this could be her best chance yet.
Niurka Montalvo (Spain). Age: 31. Personal Best: 7.03 metres. After defecting from Cuba last year, Montalvo will now have the home crowd to lift her. Has yet to claim a major medal but surpassed the seven metre barrier for the first time just two weeks ago.
Lyudmila Galkina (Russia). Age: 27. Personal Best: 7.05 metres. The defending champion from 1997 produced a comfortable qualifying jump of 6.88 metres ahead of Jones, she is certainly capable of a gold medal jump.
Prediction: 1 Jones, 2 May, 3 Galkina.
