Zurich a happy hunting ground for O'Sullivan

THE Weltklasse in Zurich has always been a favourite meet for Ireland's Sonia O'Sullivan, but it takes on added significance tonight as she looks for a performance to boost her confidence for the Olympic Games.

The Olympic silver medallist has given some of her best performances there - the highlight being her track record back in 1995 when she won the 3,000m in 8:27.57. That was four days after winning the 5,000m at the world championships in Gothenburg.

Last year she ran 8:37.35 behind Gabriela Szabo in Zurich and if she can repeat that tonight, she can be happy her form is coming good at the right time.

With Szabo in retirement, there is nobody of that quality in the field this evening.

The field will be led by Edith Masai of Kenya, bronze medallist in the 5,000m at the world championships in Paris last year. World cross-country champion, Australia's Benita Johnson, a training partner of O'Sullivan, returns from injury and there are two other top 20 ranked runners in the field, Kenyan Ines Chenonge and Ethiopian Derebe Alemu.

Sonia O'Sullivan's only 3,000m race in Madrid three weeks ago was a disaster, while she had to settle for two third places at the national championships in Santry a fortnight ago.

While it has not been reflected in her racing, she is happy her training has been going well.

The Cobh woman will be looking to this evening's 3,000m (8.35pm on Sky Sports) for assurance.