Athletics: Britain's winning six to face America's young challenge: Cup champions in Edinburgh action

ALL SIX of Britain's individual winners at the European Cup final were named yesterday in the British team to face the United States in the TSB Challenge in Edinburgh on Friday night.

Linford Christie, John Regis, Colin Jackson, David Grindley, Rob Denmark and Sally Gunnell are due to face a young US team with a sprinkling of experienced competitors such as Calvin Smith, the former 100 metres world record holder, and Mike Stulce, the Olympic shot champion.

Steve Cram had asked to run at 1500m rather than 3,000m as a sharpening exercise before attempting to gain a 5,000m World Championship qualifying time at a small meeting in Kvalle, Sweden, next week. If he is unsuccessful, it will be interesting to see if the old distance lures him back.

Suzanne Rigg, originally named in the 3,000m, withdrew yesterday after returning from Rome, where she earned fourth place in the 10,000m as a late replacement for Liz McColgan. The only surprise was that she was included in the team for Edinburgh in the first place, as Sunday's race was her second 10,000m within eight days. Rigg had also run a midweek road race before the British call came.

Frank Dick, the national director of coaching, said yesterday that the British Athletics Federation is waiting to hear when Rigg could make another attempt at gaining the World Championship qualifying standard of 32min 40sec. If no suitable occasion presents itself, a race will be arranged for her.

A race between Christie, the Olympic champion, and Andre Cason, the winner of the 100m at the US trials, has been confirmed for the Bislett Games in Oslo on 10 July.

Team, Sporting Digest, page 33