Athletics: Radcliffe ready at last to take on the world

New year forecast: what to expect in the next 12 months

In theory, and according to a letter of guarantee from the Prime Minister to the International Association of Athletics Federations, London should be hosting next year's World Championships.

Sadly, the débâcle which saw Wembley, then Twickenham, then Picketts Lock, then Sheffield, then nowhere pencilled in to host the competition ended with Paris scooping up the spare event. But there is a fair chance that British athletes will return from their trip across the Channel laden with precious goods.

Having earned her first major track titles at the Commonwealth Games and European Championships, Paula Radcliffe will be eager to win a global version. Given that most of her likely rivals were at the two main events this summer, there is a decent chance that the 28-year-old can claim her third version of a world title over 10,000 metres after her successes in cross-country and half-marathon.

In the sprints, Dwain Chambers will be seeking to get closer to the new world record holder, Tim Montgomery of the United States, while his team-mate, Mark Lewis Francis, will be hoping to get closer to his main domestic rival.

Chambers missed a medal by one place in Edmonton 2001, but he will surely get one here, and Lewis-Francis could also figure on the podium if he avoids over-extending himself as he did in the Commonwealth final.

Jonathan Edwards, the Olympic, world and Commonwealth triple jump champion, looks capable of having another day in the sun although he will be 37 when the Championships get under way.

Prediction: A global track triumph for Radcliffe at last.