Sonia O'Sullivan is expected to confirm today that she will put her reputation on the line in the European 10,000 metres championship, here in the Nepstadion on Wednesday evening.

O'Sullivan, who has yet to compete at the distance, has decided to await the evidence of a training run today before committing herself to a dual programme in the 5,000 and 10,000 metres events.

All the indications are, however, that she will gamble on the punitive schedule which has on occasions been successfully undertaken, but more frequently has ensnared the unwary. She may be helped to some degree when the composition of the 5,000 metres championship is clarified this morning. The word is that only two races will be necessary in the 5,000 metres championship, obviating the need for heats.

That would be a significant source of encouragement for the Irish athlete, who, in spite of her remarkable coup in winning World Cross Country championships on consecutive days in Morocco earlier in the year, must be haunted by the thought that her stamina could give out in such an exhausting programme.

The problem is compounded by the oppressive heat. Like most of mainland Europe, Budapest is sweltering in tropical temperatures, and some members of the Irish squad were disturbed on their arrival yesterday. The good news for team manager, Paddy Marley, is that the shoulder injury which forced Nick Sweeney out of the national championships has responded to treatment and he will take his chances in the discus championship. Like javelin title-holder Terry McHugh, Sweeney is an experienced campaigner at this level and the hope is that, in spite of his inconsistent form earlier this season, he will produce a big performance. With 26 competitors ready for action, the Irish team is the biggest since 1946.

Then, the shot putter David Guiney was our only representative in Gothenberg and the numerical strength of the squad here provides ample testimony to the development of the sport in Ireland in the intervening years.

The draw for the men's 1,500 metres championship will be made today and will include two of the more mature members of the squad, Niall Bruton and the American-based Mark Carroll.