CATHERINA McKIERNAN will have another opportunity to solve one the mysteries of Irish athletics when she runs in the final of the 10,000 metres in the early hours of tomorrow morning.

McKiernan, who fits comfortably into any list of outstanding cross country runners in the world, has never been able to convert that pedigree into a corresponding level of proficiency on the track.

Her performance in the heats last Friday suggested that she is still some way from achieving it but she is now ready to take on another major assignment.

In common with all northern European athletes involved in endurance events she fears the effects of heat and oppressive humidity, but was still able to strike an optimistic note after her first race.

"It wasn't as bad as I had thought and I was reassured by the fact that I was running on strongly at the finish," she said. To have any chance of being in contention for a medal she will have to produce a much faster time than the 32 minutes 32.10 seconds she recorded in the slower of the two heats last Friday.

The other heat was won by the defending champion Derartu Tulu and, given the outstanding form of Tulu's teammates Gete Wami and Birhame Adere, it is not inconceivable that Ethiopia could provide all three medallists.

That does not take account of the threats provided by the world champion Fernanda Ribeiro (Portugal), Julia Vaquero (Spain) and the immensely talented Chinese woman Wang Junxia.

Within 24 hours of running the 10,000 Wang was able to return and take the 5,000 metres title last Sunday.