BBC SPORT | Athletics | Fredericks tips Chambers to shine

Frankie Fredericks believes that Dwain Chambers could fill Maurice Greene's shoes when America's sprinting legend calls it a day.

Commonwealth 200m champion Fredericks believes Chambers, who has set two personal bests in the past month, is one of a group of possible successors to Greene.

But Fredericks, 34, stressed there was plenty of competition, with up to 16 sprinters with the credentials to take over from the Olympic champion.

Frankie Fredericks races to victory in Manchester
Frankie Fredericks took Commonwealth 200m gold

"There is an awful lot of talent about. Apart from the Americans, England has two youngsters, Dwain Chambers and Mark Lewis-Francis," he said.

"In Africa, thanks to the (IAAF) development programme there are a lot of good guys coming through while Portugal pinched Francis Obikwelu.

"They are all eagerly looking forward to becoming the world's number one sprinter. It is really exciting for the future."

Fredericks spoke after suggestions that triple world champion Greene was less of a force in world sprinting following his fifth place in last Friday's prestigious Zurich Weltklasse race.

I've been watching others too much in the past - now I've found what's right for Dwain

Dwain Chambers

But the Namibian warned: "Don't start writing negative things about Maurice. With his credentials, until he does retire, he will still be a difficult man to beat."

Fredericks, who is in Linz for Monday night's Gugl-Meeting, added that he also hoped to be around to challenge the new young breed for several years to come.

"Both Merlene Ottey and Linford (Christie) showed it was possible to run fast at an advanced age. Retirement isn't on my mind," he said.

Chambers heads for Friday's IAAF London Grand Prix knowing he is the form man, after a win in diabolical conditions in Sunday's Norwich Union International Challenge in Glasgow.

But he refused to join the rush writing off Greene following his recent outing in Zurich.

"It will be like the Olympic Games there. I just want to keep ahead of the opposition, become the man to beat," he said.

"Maybe I've been watching other people too much in the past. Now I've found what's right for Dwain."


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