Tough Odyssey could lead to Budapest berths

Athletics: National titles aren't the only thing at stake at this weekend's Irish Indoor Championships, which, for a second year, will be staged at the Odyssey Arena in Belfast. Selection for next month's World Indoor championships in Budapest is also to be determined in several events - none more so than the men's 400 metres.

With only two athletes per country allowed to enter each event, the 400 metres is currently the main case of three not going into two. Rob Daly, David McCarthy and Paul McKee have achieved the necessary qualifying time in recent weeks, and Athletics Ireland will be using the championships to decide which two will be sent to Budapest.

First home in Sunday's final is guaranteed to go, and the second berth will be decided by the selectors based on form, with particular emphasis on this weekend.

Daly is the quickest so far this season with his 46.68 at Sheffield last weekend, followed by McCarthy on 46.80. McKee, who has struggled to run 47.67, won't be easily dismissed, however.

Last season McKee put Irish 400-metre running on the world map by taking bronze at the World Indoor championships in Birmingham, clocking a superb Irish indoor record of 45.99. A hamstring injury has restricted his early-season form but he now appears not far off his best and the home crowd in Belfast could spur him on to a winning performance.

The men's 200 metres will also need the Belfast result to determine selection. Paul Brizzel, Paul Hession and Gary Ryan have all qualified, but Ryan is currently training in Australia, where he competes outdoors this weekend. Should Brizzel and Hession fill the first two spots on Sunday they are likely to get the nod.

A preliminary Irish team will be announced on Tuesday, with the World Indoors taking place from March 5th-7th. But the final deadline is set for February 23rd, and further athletes could be added should they gain the necessary qualification.

Currently there are 13 Irish athletes with the necessary standard for Budapest, and of those only Sonia O'Sullivan is not interested in competing. The likes of Ciara Sheehy (200 metres), Joanne Cuddihy (400 metres) and Derval O'Rourke (60 metre hurdles) can this weekend rubber-stamp their selection with winning performances in Belfast.

Two other eagerly awaited events are the rarely contested indoor walks, where Gillian O'Sullivan will attempt to improve on the 3,000 metre world record of 11 minutes, 35.34 seconds set at the same venue a year ago, and in the men's 5,000 metre race, three-time Olympic champion Robert Korzeniowski of Poland is the special guest entrant.