The world leader Lolo Jones had not qualified for the championships, but a number of athletes had also posted fast times and scored major victories on the World Athletics Tour that season. Among the possible medallists were Americans Damu Cherry, Ginnie Powell. reigning Olympic champion Dawn Harper, and two-time world champion Michelle Perry. Canadians Priscilla Lopes-Schliep and 2003 champion Perdita Felicien were contenders for the title, and the new Oceanian record holder Sally McLellan had shown consistent form. Rounding out the favourites of the field, Jamaican athletes Brigitte Foster-Hylton and Delloreen Ennis-London were seeking to build on past championship successes.