It is these ideals which will produce the best track and field stars over the next eight days. The blue riband event of the Games has always been the Men s 100 metres and it is set to hold the world s attention in the opening days of the track programme. Maurice Greene is the absolute favourite to take the crown. As world champion and world record holder he would seem to have the credentials but the Olympics is a different ball game and the pressures that come with it are unique.
Chambers is probably the most likely to do so.
He finished third in last year's world championship final, just behind the Canadian Bruny Surin. Surin is a proven championship performer and despite inconsistent form this season he could well be a dark horse for the title. His team mate and defending Olympic champion, Donavan Bailey has likewise shown inconsistent form this year and is now complaining of tiredness. The 100 metres has become a battle of minds and of words. It resembles the hype that precedes heavyweight boxing bouts with participants boasting their credentials in a string of pre-match press conferences.