Athletics: Hugh Jones's guide to the athletics World Championships, beginning on Saturday

MEN

100 METRES

World record: C Lewis (US, 9.86sec, 1991); 1993 world best: D Effiong (Nigeria, 9.99sec); 1993 GB best: L Christie (10.03).

Linford Christie and Carl Lewis at last square up in the one that really counts.

Prediction: 1 Christie; 2 Lewis; 3 Cason (US).

200 METRES

World record: P Mennea (It, 19.72sec, 1979); 1993 world best: C Lewis (19.99sec); 1993 GB best: J Regis (20.25sec).

Lewis looks a safer bet in the longer sprint, in which he leads the world this year. Namibia's Frankie Fredericks will contest his 1991 runners-up spot with the Olympic champion Mike Marsh (US).

Prediction: 1 Lewis; 2 Fredericks; 3 Marsh.

400 METRES

World record: B Reynolds (US, 43.29sec, 1988); 1993 world best: M Johnson (US, 43.74sec); 1993 GB best: D Grindley (44.50sec).

The Olympic champion, Quincy Watts, faces a strong challenge from Michael Johnson moving up from his previous distance of 200m.

Prediction: 1 Johnson; 2 Watts (US); 3 Reynolds.

800 METRES

World record: S Coe (GB, 1min 41.73sec, 1981); 1993 world best: M Steele (GB, 1min 43.84sec).

No one has yet stamped their authority on the event this season, giving Britain's Curtis Robb the chance to continue his climb towards the top.

Prediction: 1 Tanui (Ken); 2 Barbosa (Bra); 3 Robb (GB).

1500 METRES

World record: N Morceli (Alg, 3min 28.82sec, 1992); 1993 world best: Morceli (3min 29.20sec); 1993 GB best: S Cram (3min 35.63sec).

Noureddine Morceli was the favourite in Barcelona, but ended up seventh. He is still to defend his title in Stuttgart after brilliant form this season.

Prediction: 1 Morceli; 2 Suleiman (Qatar); 3 Cacho (Sp).

5,000 METRES

World record: S Aouita (Mor, 12min 58.39sec, 1987); 1993 world best: K Skah (Mor, 13min 04.67sec); 1993 GB best: R Denmark (13min 16.48sec).

Britain's Rob Denmark may be in with a medal chance if in contention on the last lap, but the Kenyans and Ethiopians are the front-runners.

Prediction: 1 Kirul (Ken); 2 Bayissa (Eth); 3 Bitok (Ken).

10,000 METRES

World record: Y Ondieki (Ken, 26min 58.38sec, 1993); 1993 GB best: R Nerurkar (27min 40.03sec).

Yobes Ondieki, one of Kenya's world record-breakers at this distance this year, will be absent. The other, Richard Chelimo, should get the win.

Prediction: 1 Chelimo (Ken); 2 Sigei (Ken); 3 Skah (Mor).

MARATHON

World record: B Dinsamo (Eth, 2hr 06min 50sec); 1993 world best: Kim Wang-gi (S Kor, 2hr 09min 25sec); 1993 GB best: E Martin (2hr 10min 50sec).

The Olympic bronze medalist, Stephan Freigang, has home advantage.

Prediction: 1 Freigang; 2 Kim Wang-gi (S Kor); 3 N'Deti (Ken).

3,000M STEEPLECHASE

World record: M Kiptanui (Ken, 8min 02.08sec, 1992); 1993 world best: Kiptanui (8min 10.29sec); 1993 GB best: T Hanlon (8min 21.58sec).

Moses Kiptanui, denied his chance in Barcelona, broke the world record immediately after, and has shown good form this year. His countrymen are his main rivals.

Prediction: 1 Kiptanui; 2 Kosgei (Ken); 3 Sang (Ken).

110 METRES HURDLES

World record: R Kingdom (US, 12.92sec, 1988); 1993 world best: C Jackson (GB, 12.97sec).

Colin Jackson has outshone all opposition so far this year, and is Britain's best hope of gold in the men's events.

Prediction: 1 Jackson; 2 Pierce (US); 3 Jarrett (GB).

400 METRES HURDLES

World record: K Young (US, 46.78sec, 1992); 1993 world best: W Graham (Jam, 47.60); 1993 GB best: K Akabusi (48.73sec).

Kevin Young, the world record-holder, should become world champion too, but Zambia's Samuel Matete will not give up his title easily. Both he and Winthrop Graham have beaten Young this year - Matete for the second time at Monte Carlo last night.

Prediction: 1 Young (US); 2 Matete; 3 Diagana (Fr).

HIGH JUMP

World record: J Sotomayor (Cuba, 2.45m, 1993); 1993 GB best: S Smith and D Grant (2.34m).

The Cuban Javier Sotomayor looks formidable, establishing a world record jump of 2.45m two weeks ago.

Prediction: 1 Sotomayor; 2 Conway (US); 3 Kemp (Baham).

POLE VAULT

World record: S Bubka (Ukr, 6.13m, 1992); 1993 world best: R Gataullin (Rus) and S Bubka (Ukr, 6.00m); 1993 GB best: M Edwards (5.52m).

The Ukraine's Sergei Bubka, of many medals and records, no longer looks unassailable. Maksim Tarasov is currently in good form.

Prediction: 1 Bubka; 2 Tarasov; 3 Gataullin.

LONG JUMP

World record: M Powell (US, 8.95m, 1991); 1993 world best: Powell (8.70m); 1993 GB best: C Howard (7.76m).

Mike Powell is not challenged by Lewis this time. Ivan Pedroso of Cuba is an emerging talent reaching good distances this year, and he should prevent an American medal sweep.

Prediction: 1 Powell; 2 Pedroso; 3 Greene (US).

TRIPLE JUMP

World record: W Banks (US, 17.97m, 1985); 1993 world best: M Conley (US, 17.84m); 1993 GB best: J Edwards (17.28m).

Mike Conley, has been a consistent performer for years. It will take an inspirational leap by a newcomer such as Cuba's Yoelvis Quesada to dislodge him.

Prediction: 1 Conley; 2 Quesada; 3 Greene (US).

SHOT PUT

World record: R Barnes (US, 23.12m, 1990); 1993 world best: W Gunthor (Swit, 21.94m); 1993 GB best: P Edwards (19.62m).

The world champion, Werner Gunthor, is challenged by the Olympic champion, Mike Stulce, and the world record-holder, Randy Barnes, returning from a drug suspension, both of the US.

Prediction: 1 Gunthor; 2 Barnes; 3 Stulce.

DISCUS

World record: J Schult (Ger, 74.08m, 1986); 1993 world best: L Riedel (Ger, 68.42); 1993 GB best: R Weir (61.30).

Lars Riedel defends his title after failing to qualify for the Olympic final.

Prediction: 1 Riedel; 2 De Bruin (Neth); 3 Schult (Ger).

HAMMER

World record: Y Sedykh (Rus, 86.74m, 1986); 1993 world best: S Kirmasov (Rus, 82.54m); 1993 GB best: P Head (73.44m).

Gone are the days of the Soviet clean sweeps, now it is the turn of Uzbekistan and Belarus as well as Russia.

Prediction: 1 Abduvaliyev (Uzb); 2 Astapkovich (Bel); 3 Litbinov (Rus).

JAVELIN

World record: J Zelezny (Cz Rep, 95.54m, 1993); 1993 GB best: M Hill (86.94m).

The Olympic champion, Jan Zelezny, is the only man to better 90 metres this year. He has a clear advantage over the rest who are bunched five metres behind. Steve Backley may yet come through from injury.

Prediction: 1 Zelezny; 2 Raty (Fin); 3 Backley.

DECATHLON

World record: D O'Brien (US, 8,891pts, 1992); 1993 world best: E Hamalainen (Bel, 8,604pts); 1993 GB best: A Kruger (7,986pts).

Nothing should stop Dan O'Brien.

Prediction: 1 D O'Brien; 2 E Hamalainen.

4 x 100 METRES

World record: US (37.40sec, 1992); 1993 world best: US (37.99sec); 1993 GB best: 38.53sec.

Britain's talent and France's discipline have earned them places behind the runaway US squad before, but the Cubans and the Nigerians could figure.

Prediction: 1 US; 2 GB; 3 France.

4 x 400 METRES

World record: US (2min 55.74sec); 1993 world best: GB (3min 00.25sec).

Chances of Britain repeating their shock Tokyo victory over the near-invincible Americans are negligible.

Prediction: 1 US; 2 Cuba; 3 GB.

WO

100 METRES

World record: F Griffith-Joyner (US, 10.49sec, 1988); 1993 world best: G Devers (US, 10.82sec); 1993 GB best: B Kinch (11.37sec).

The surprise winner in Barcelona, Gail Devers, still has the edge over Merlene Ottey of Jamaica.

Prediction: 1 Devers; 2 Ottey; 3 Torrence (US).

200 METRES

World record: F Griffith-Joyner (US, 21.34sec, 1988); 1993 world best: M-J Perec (Fr) and I Privalova (Rus, 21.99sec); 1993 GB best: K Merry (23.20sec).

Marie-Jose Perec of France moves down from 400m to face the sprint specialists, Irina Privalova of Russia, Torrence and Ottey.

Prediction: 1 Perec; 2 Privalova; 3 Torrence (US).

400 METRES

World record: M Koch (Ger, 47.60sec, 1985); 1993 world best: I Privalova (Rus, 49.89sec); 1993 GB best: S Gunnell (51.29sec).

Only Privalova has run the sub-50sec time necessary to win. Juliet Campbell of Jamaica and Jearl Miles of the US have been close.

Prediction: 1 Campbell; 2 Miles; 3 Ruzina (US).

800 METRES

World record: J Kratochvilova (Cz, 1min 53.28sec, 1983); 1993 world best: M Mutola (Moz, 1min 53.62sec); 1993 GB best: D Modahl (1min 59.00sec).

Mozambiquan cousins Maria Mutola and Tina Paulino should be strong enough to overcome the traditional Russian strength over the two laps.

Prediction: 1 Mutola; 2 Paulino; 3 Nurutdinova (Rus).

1500 METRES

World record: T Kazankina (Rus, 3min 52.47sec, 1980); 1993 world best: S O'Sullivan (Irl, 4min 03.38sec); 1993 GB best: A Wyeth (4min 05.31sec).

Hassiba Boulmerka of Algeria has won both titles of the past two years, but the Russians could get the measure of her this time.

Prediction: 1 Rogachova (Rus); 2 Boulmerka; 3 Kremlyova (Rus).

3,000 METRES

World record: T Kazankina (Rus, 8min 22.62sec, 1984); 1993 world best: Wang Junxia (Ch, 8min 27.68); 1993 GB best: Y Murray (8min 30.30sec).

The world leader of this year, Ireland's Sonia O'Sullivan, has a good enough finish off a fast pace to thwart opposition hoping for a more tactical race. Yvonne Murray could benefit from O'Sullivan's lead.

Prediction: 1 O'Sullivan; 2 Romanova (Rus); 3 Murray (GB).

10,000 METRES

World record: I Kristiansen (Nor, 30min 13.74sec, 1985); 1993 world best: Wang Junxia (Ch, 31min 08.42sec); 1993 GB best: V McPherson (32min 32.42sec).

Elana Meyer of South Africa is ready to take McColgan's crown.

Prediction: 1 Meyer; 2 Jennings (US); 3 Zhong Huandi (Ch).

MARATHON

World record: I Kristiansen (Nor, 2hr 21min 06sec); 1993 world best: O Markova (Rus, 2hr 25min 27 sec); 1993 GB best: L McColgan (2hr 29min 37sec).

The winner of the London Marathon, Katrin Dorre, and the runner-up, Lisa Ondieki, have the strength and experience to win.

Prediction: 1 Ondieki; 2 Dorre; 3 Markova.

100 METRES HURDLES

World record: Y Donkova (Bul, 12.21sec, 1988); 1993 world best: M Azyabina (Rus, 12.47sec); 1993 GB best: S Gunnell (13.08sec).

Russia's Marina Azyabina is the main challenger to Gail Devers.

Prediction: 1 Devers; 2 Azyabina; 3 Talbot (US).

400 METRES HURDLES

World record: M Stepanova (Rus, 52.94sec, 1986); 1993 world best: S Gunnell (GB, 53.52sec).

Sally Gunnell is as good a racing certainty as any in these championships, beating all her rivals this year.

Prediction: 1 Gunnell; 2 Farmer-Patrick (US); 3 Buford (US).

HIGH JUMP

World record: S Kostadinova (Bul, 2.09m, 1987); 1993 world best: Kostadinova (2.04m); 1993 GB best: D Marti (1.91m).

Germany's Heike Henkel will resume the battle with a resurgent Stefka Kostadinova of Bulgaria and Romania's Galina Astafei.

Prediction: 1 Kostadinova; 2 Henkel; 3 Astafei.

LONG JUMP

World record: G Chistyakova (Rus, 7.52m, 1988); 1993 world best: H Drechsler (Ger, 7.21m); 1993 GB best: F May (6.88m).

Germany's Heike Drechsler should carry her Olympic form through for victory.

Prediction: 1 Drechsler; 2 Joyner- Kersee (US); 3 Kravets (Ukr).

TRIPLE JUMP

World record: Y Chen (Rus, 14.97m, 1993); 1993 GB best: M Griffith (13.75m).

No individual is yet consistent enough to be confident of a medal in this new event, let alone victory.

Prediction: 1 Kravets (Ukr); 2 Montalvo (Cuba); 3 Mushalova (Rus).

SHOT PUT

World record: N Lisovskaya (Rus, 22.63m, 1987); 1993 world best: S Krivelyova (Rus, 20.45); 1993 GB best: M Augee (17.68).

The Olympic champion, Svetlana Krivelyova of Russia, will face a strong German trio, but the surprises are usually sprung by the Chinese.

Prediction: 1 Krivelyova; 2 Romanova (Rus); 3 Storp (Ger).

DISCUS

World record: G Reinsch (Ger, 76.80m, 1988); 1993 world best: L Korotkevich (Bel, 68.14m); 1993 GB best: J McKernan (60.72m).

Anyone over 70 metres should win.

Prediction: 1 Korotkevich; 2 Marten (Cuba); 3 Costian (Cuba).

JAVELIN

World record: P Felke (Ger, 80.00m, 1988); 1993 world best: T Hattestad (Nor, 72.36m); 1993 GB best: S Holroyd (60.10).

Norway's Trine Hattestad has thrown furthest this year but is not at her best in championships.

Prediction: 1 Shikolenko (Rus); 2 Renk (Ger); 3 Hattestad.

HEPTATHLON

World record: J Joyner-Kersee (US, 7,291pts, 1988); 1993 world best: Joyner-Kersee (6,770pts); 1993 GB best: C Court (5,957pts).

Jackie Joyner-Kersee has been unstoppable at this event for years.

Prediction: 1 Joyner-Kersee; 2 Braun; 3 Nastase (Rom).

10KM WALK

World record: K Junna (Aus, 1988) & I Salvador (It, 1993, 41min 30sec); 1993 GB best: V Lupton (45.28).

Italy's Ileana Salvador equalled the world best this year while the Ukraine's Alina Ivanova is also in form.

Prediction: 1 Salvador; 2 Ivanova; 3 Chen (Ch).

4 x 100 METRES

World record: Germany (41.37sec, 1985); 1993 world best: Russia (42.79sec); 1993 GB best: 44.31sec.

Jamaica has the necessary strength in depth to make the best challenge to the Americans.

Prediction: 1 USA; 2 Jamaica; 3 Russia.

4 x 400 METRES

World record: CIS (3:15.17, 1988); 1993 world best: Russia (3:24.23); 1993 GB best: 3.24.26.

The British quartet could get medals, but the main battle will be between the Americans and the Russians.

Prediction: 1 USA; 2 Russia; 3 GB.