Head-to-Head

Paula Radcliffe v Fernanda Ribeiro

This should be the championships that finally ends the hard-luck stories for Britain's Paula Radcliffe. She started with a seventh place over 3000 metres in her first World Championships in Stuttgart back in 1993, then finished fifth over 5,000 metres in 1995, fifth in the Olympic 5,000 metres in Atlanta, fourth in the World 5,000 metres in Athens two years ago and then fifth over 10,000 metres in the European championships last summer.

While this race may be her best ever chance of getting a medal, the 25-year-old will most likely have to battle with Portugal's Fernando Ribeiro if she wants gold. At 30, Ribeiro has claimed every honour in the book, including the Olympic title in 1996 and the World title in 1995. Two years ago in Athens, she was beaten by Sally Barsosio of Kenya (who misses Seville through injury) but then came back to take bronze in the 5,000 metres. Last year she was second to Sonia O'Sullivan in the European Championships in Budapest.

Radcliffe has run a lifetime best of 30 minutes 40.70 seconds this season (the fastest in the world) and also improved the British 5,000 metre record to 14:43.54 a few weeks back. Even though Ribiero has not run any 10,000 metres this season, her best of 30:48.06 and previous achievements still leave her as the one to beat.