Boldon makes impression

In this city on the banks of Lake Geneva, where the Olympic movement has its home, there is no escaping reminders that the 2000 games are now just 10 weeks away. And as the grand prix circuit moves up into a higher gear - last night's Athletissima meeting here at the Stade Olympique was the latest episode - there is no hiding place for those hoping to make an impression in September.

One of the night's more impressive performances was that of Ato Boldon of Trinidad, who completed the 100 metres and 200 metres double on the night.

In the 100 metres, Bolton got the verdict on the line in 9.95 seconds, just 0.02 seconds ahead of Francis Obikwelu of Nigeria. Britain's Jason Gardener was a creditable third in 10.09.

In the 200 metres, Boldon again got the better of Obiweklu. Boldon crossed the line in 19.97, with the Nigerian on 20.01 and Obadele Thompson of Barbados third in 20.10.

Australian Cathy Freeman won the 400 metres in 49.56 to put herself top of the world rankings for 2000. The performance was a clear message of intent to Marie-Jose Perec, the 1992 and 1996 Olympic champion, who was second in the 200 metres last night behind Debbie Ferguson of the Bahamas.

The 32-year-old Frenchwoman was taking her first tentative strides on the road to a return to full fitness and form after battling injury and illness for most of the past four years.

Along with Michael Johnson, Perec was the athlete of the 1996 Olympics when she achieved the 200-400 metres double. But her last race before last night had been nearly a year ago in Lahti, Finland.

Since then she has taken drastic steps in an effort to rebuild her career. Earlier this year she split from her long-time coach John Smith, the man behind the success of Greene, left Los Angeles and moved to the German port of Rostock.

There she is coached by Wolfgang Meier, the husband of Marita Koch, the East German who has held the world record for the 400 metres since 1985. Eyebrows were raised over the move, because Perec has often accused Koch of achieving her results because she was involved in the former East Germany's doping programme.

Whatever work Meier is doing with Perec it is clearly having its effect, because her time of 22.71 was her fastest since Atlanta.