There was disappointment for Ireland's David Matthews at the Bislett Games in Oslo last night. Matthews, who was attempting to post a qualification time for the World Championships, came in seventh in the 800 metres B race in a time of one minute 48.62. That left him well outside of the qualification time of 1:46.30 which he seeking.

Meanwhile Wilson Kipketer, Denmark's Kenyan-born 800 metres world record holder, put young pretender Japheth Kimutai, who had inflicted his first defeat in three years at Zurich last year, firmly in his place in the event when he stormed home to post the fastest 800 metres time this year.

The 28-year-old Kipketer was not the only athlete to declare he was back in business as 110 metres world champion Allen Johnson also won his event with ease. However, while America's 100 metres world champion Marion Jones started her campaign for a second successive share of the million dollar bonus successfully in the 200 metres there was disappointment for world champion Ato Boldon in the men's event. He was disqualified after winning the race for stepping out of his lane.

Romania's Gabriela Szabo, world outdoor 5,000 metres champion and world indoor titleholder in both the 1,500 and 3,000, won the women's 3,000 metres taking almost nine seconds off the world best time this year - also set by her.

However, her ambition of breaking arch-rival Sonia O'Sullivan's five-year-old European record still remains out of her grasp, though she said it was only a matter of time before it happened.