The threat to Sonia: O'Sullivan's main opponents

Paula Radcliffe. Great Britain. Age: 27.

At age 12, Radcliffe finished 299th in the English Schools Cross Country championships. In 1992, aged 18, she won the junior race at the world championships s in Boston. From then on it's been a tireless quest to win an individual senior title. Second on two occasions (1997 and 1998), third in 1999, and fifth last year, she has prepared flawlessly for this year's race ever since finishing fourth over the Olympic 10,000 metres in Sydney. Her target is the 8 kilometre race, but she has also been selected for the short course and whatever happens this afternoon, it is expected that she will reappear tomorrow.

Gete Wami Ethiopia. Age: 26.

A remarkable record has seen Wami in the medals at these championships every year since 1996 (she won gold in 1996 and 1999, bronze in 1997 and 1998, and silver last year). No one expects her to do any worse this time out. Like Radcliffe, the long course race is her priority but she also been selected for tomorrow's short course event, mainly to boost Ethiopia's team chances. Her phenomenal track speed (she was fastest in the world over 5,000m last year and took Olympic bronze behind Gabriela Szabo and Sonia O'Sullivan) will make her a formidable opponent.

Rose Cheruiyot Kenya. Age: 24.

Five years ago, Cheruiyot took the silver medal behind Wami and since then has been one of Kenya's leading distance women. Married to former Kenyan world champion Ismael Kirui, she ran below her form to finish 11th in the Olympic 5,000m final last September. After finishing 12th last year, she was back to her best at last month's Kenyan trials, and has now made the short course race her prime target. With strong team support, she is sure to be pressing for the top places tomorrow.

Ayelech Worku Ethiopia. Age: 21

In the absence of defending champion Kutre Dulecha, Ethiopia's other contender is Worku. Ninth in the long course race last year, she is now on the shorter course after tuning her speed with a fourth-place finish in the Olympic 5,000m final. She also ended last year ranked fourth fastest in the world over 5,000m. Ethiopia were surprisingly beaten for the team gold by Portugal in this race last year and Worku has worked hard to ensure it doesn't happen again.