Place secure for Backley

Steve Backley, on crutches only three weeks ago after an Achilles tendon operation, in effect secured his Olympic javelin place at the Bupa Games here yesterday less than 10 hours before the deadline.

The European champion and world silver medallist, taking part in his first competition since September last year, threw 81.66 metres with his first attempt. He added two more throws of 81.58m for good measure.

That hugely composed performance, which gave him second place behind the American thrower Tom Pukstys, will secure Backley selection alongside Mick Hill and Nick Nieland when the final British team is announced this morning.

Among the handful of names the selectors will be adding to the 73 already made public will be that of Gateshead's local hero Jonathan Edwards, who confirmed his return to full fitness with his second victory in the space of five days.

Whether Linford Christie, who won the 100m in 10.16sec, makes the final team-sheet will be revealed this morning.

Backley now has five weeks left to prepare himself. It is a daunting schedule, but one which he is viewing in the positive light one might expect of a man who recently published a book entitled The Winning Mind. "I like the buzz it gives me," he said. "When you are scared, it gets the adrenalin running. Four years ago at the Commonwealth Games I didn't compete for four months and then came in and threw a personal best. So it's exciting. It could go one way or the other. But I will be fresh and hungry, which will be a very unique and dangerous combination."

Backley was still on crutches when he learnt that the Olympic champion Jan Zelezny had extended his world record to 98.48m. "It was pretty tough," he said. "I threw one of my crutches about 99 metres when I heard."

The Briton, nevertheless, is seeking to put the pressure on Zelezny with a good early throw. "He has shown that he can crack up in major championships," Backley said. "He is very beatable."

Edwards extended the unbeaten run which began at the start of last season with his shortest winning distance in that period, 17.02. But, having regained his impetus after missing the trials with victory in 17.82 at Helsinki on Tuesday, he could afford to be relatively relaxed about his performance in his hometown stadium.

"The conditions were difficult because the wind was shifting about," he said. "Four or five weeks ago I might have been a bit more concerned, but I am just shrugging my shoulders because I did well a few days ago."

Christie finished well clear of a field in which Scotland's Ian Mackie, Atlanta-bound, set a personal best - albeit with wind assistance - of 10.21sec.

The Olympic champion's friend and training partner Colin Jackson, running with greater freedom in the last couple of weeks after receiving treatment for tendinitis in his knee, secured the narrowest of wins over his team- mate Tony Jarrett. Jackson got a tremendous start, but Jarrett - last year's world silver medallist - closed over the final four hurdles to finish just 0.01sec behind the world record holder, 13.25 to 13.24.

Jackson now goes to Lausanne to take on the world champion Allen Johnson, who recently ran to within 0.01sec of the his world record of 12.91.

Sally Gunnell, who also faces a testing challenge in Lausanne against the leading American 400m hurdlers, got into shape with a 400m flat time of 51.45 behind Australia's Commonwealth champion Cathy Freeman, whose 49.96 was the fourth fastest this year.

Kelly Holmes, who still has the option or running either 800m or 1500m or both in Atlanta, maintained her outstanding form with victory over the shorter distance in 1min 59.82sec. Diane Modahl, given leave earlier in the week to pursue her action for pounds 480,000 damages against the British Athletic Federation, ran 2:03.67 in third place.

Craig Winrow, who ran disappointingly at the trials, in effect clinched the third 800m place alongside Curtis Robb and David Strang as he finished third behind Hezekiel Sepeng of South Africa, who won in 1:46.00.

Winrow, who set the fastest British time of the year in Zagreb last Friday week - 1:45.69 - was the first Briton home here in 1.47.05.

Paul Evans, who has given up his marathon place, is hoping that his 5,000m victory in 13:47.40 will persuade the selectors to give him a 10,000m place. He turned down the longer distance because it would have meant him having to spend six weeks preparing away from home at a time when there are health worries over a close member of his family.

Britain's 400m trio had a mixed day. Iwan Thomas was delighted with his form and winning time of 44.94, but Du'Aine Ladejo was less impressive as he finished fifth in 45.50, while Roger Black, the new British record holder, had a satisfactory 200m run in 20.99. Promising stuff.

Results, Digest, page 23