Jamaica and U.S. set to battle it out in sprints

By Mitch Phillips

BEIJING (Reuters) - The latest round of Jamaica's sprint battle with the United States in the women's 200 meters and Jeremy Wariner's 400m clash with fellow American LaShawn Merrit are the highlights of Thursday's athletics program.

There is also the 110m hurdles final that was supposed to be one of the high points of the Games but, even with the presence of Cuba's world-record holding Dayron Robles, it is now somewhat deflated by the absence of China's Liu Xiang.

There are medals available in the men's triple jump, women's javelin and women's 20k walk, while the decathlon and men's 4x100 also get under way.

Jamaica v the United States, the Olympic champion v the world champion and 100 meters medalists against 100 meters losers - the women's 200 is overflowing with rivalries.

Champion Veronica Campbell-Brown and 100 meter joint-silver medalists Sherone Simpson and Kerron Stewart will lead the Jamaican assault with world champion Allyson Felix, Muna Lee and Marshevet Hooker trying to regain some sprinting pride for the sport's superpower.

Merrit beat Wariner twice early in the season to raise the prospect that he might finally be able to emerge from his shadow but the defending 400m champion has looked strong through the rounds in Beijing and starts a strong favorite.

"They have different strengths and will use different strategies. LaShawn will run a personal best, Jeremy will win but it will be a good race," said twice former Olympic champion and current world record holder Michael Johnson, something of a mentor for Wariner.

With Liu and double silver medalist Terrence Trammell both pulling out injured in the first round the way is clear for Robles to top his record-breaking year with Olympic gold.

The 21-year-old Cuban qualified fastest in 13.12 seconds.

"No problem. I'm very calm. I'll win the gold medal," he said.

The most grueling event in the program starts with the opening 100 meters rounds in the decathlon, when world record holder, world and Olympic champion Roman Sebrle puts his battered body to the test once again.

The Czech recovered from being speared in the shoulder by a javelin in January 2007 to win the world title last year but has had a tough time with injuries this season.

Briton Phillips Idowu came to Beijing as favorite for the triple jump and produced the longest jump in qualifying, but, having fouled all three attempts in the final at Athens, he will be cautious.

World champion Barbora Spotakova of the Czech Republic threw the longest distance in javelin qualifying with 67.69m and goes into the final as the clear favorite.

The first round of the men's 4x100 relay is always interesting as the strongest teams, with reserves usually in place, try desperately to avoid messing up their changeovers.