Chambers to atone for French lapse
Chambers looked to have regained some of last summer’s form which saw him equal Linford Christie’s European record of 9.87 seconds when he beat world record holder Tim Montgomery in Glasgow 11 days ago.
But five days after that success Chambers was seventh and last in the Stade de France, the venue which will host next month’s world championships.
Chambers competed with a slight cold and his performance suffered.
“His glands were up and there was nothing in his legs, but he’s not fazed by what happened,” said Cambers’ spokesman Mark Brodie.
Chambers headed straight from Paris to Rome in a bid to erase the Paris performance from his mind.
“He’s had a week’s excellent training of six hours a day and he’s raring to go,” added Brodie.
The Londoner faces strong opposition in a 100m race headed by Paris victor Bernard Williams, recent winner of the USA title.
Joining the 2001 world bronze medallist will be the Nigeria’s Deji Aliu and Olympic champion Maurice Greene, winner of last year’s race in a fast 9.89secs.
Jason Gardener, the European 60m gold medallist, is given the opportunity to contest his most prestigious 100m of the season.
Chris Rawlinson has been a man in real form. But like other 400m hurdlers the Rawlinson has been unable to match the pace and technical skills of Felix Sanchez.
In Paris Sanchez streaked to a 20th successive victory, although Rawlinson was heartened after taking second place behind the defending world champion gold medallist and favourite.
“I have to be realistic, Sanchez is in a class of his own,” said last year’s Commonwealth champion. “But, believe me, I think I can get a medal.”
After a poor start to his season when he was last in Ostrava, Rawlinson won a second European Cup title, finished third in a star-studded race in Trikala, then won a triangular international against the USA and Russia.
Finishing runner-up a week ago was just another boost to his medal ambitions for Rawlinson, fifth when Edmonton hosted the last world championships two years ago.
“I’ll again be racing a world-class field, the same runners I’m likely to face in the Paris final,” said Rawlinson who has fully recovered after surgery to a knee injury.
“Why things went wrong in Ostrava I don’t know,” added the Yorkshireman.
“But it’s all coming nicely together for me now. My training is good and I’m getting the rewards in my races.”
Commonwealth 200m silver medallist Marlon Devonish takes on Frankie Fredericks in Paris, the Namibian who beat him for gold in Manchester last July.
Tony Whiteman, who ran his fastest 1500m of the season in Rome, faces world record holder Hicham El Guerrouj.
Jo Pavey, the Olympic and world 5000m finalist, steps down to 1500m while Kathy Butler is entered for the 12.5 lap distance.
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