BBC SPORT | Athletics | Edwards eager for lift-off

"Yes, I will be nervous in Milan with it being my first meeting of the year, but I'm also excited my season is finally starting."

Jumping last year in the ancient Arena Civica Stadium, Edwards recorded a mark of 17.56 metres.

And not one of his rivals was able to better that performance in the whole of 2001.

This year, Edwards' key targets are the defence of his European crown and gold at the Commonwealth Games in Manchester.

"I hope to start where I left off from last season," said the 36-year-old.

"Every single year throws up the uncertainty of achieving of what has gone before, but I'm happy with how I've trained."

Julian Golley, who unexpectedly defeated Edwards for the 1994 Commonwealth gold medal, is also in the high quality field.

Darren Campbell will not, as he expected, face last year's World silver medallist Tim Montgomery over 100m.

Darren Campbell
Campbell will run in the 100m
The US star has decided it would be pointless flying to Europe for just one race after failing to agree terms to compete in next Monday's Athens Grand Prix.

Campbell, struggling to regain the form which earned him the European short sprint title four years ago, will be up against world bronze medallist Bernard Williams and Nigerian Francis Obikwelu, now running for Portugal.

Likewise, European 200m indoor runner-up Christian Malcolm, fighting his way back to fitness after injury, faces the world's fastest 200m performer of the year, Shawn Crawford.

Another American, Coby Miller, will also test the Welshman.

In the 5000m, Kenenisa Bekele, an unprecedented winner of both the IAAF World long and short cross country title in March, is bidding to run under the 13 minute barrier.


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