Preview: 2011 World Athletics Championships

As the 2011 World Athletics Championships approaches, the question on the lips of fans and critics alike is: after taking all the sprint titles in the men’s events two years ago, can Jamaica’s team repeat their success of clean sweeps and world records or will the USA put an end to their dominance? Writes Wayne Brown.

In the field events, Croatian high-jumper and Overground favourite Blanka Vlasic (pictured) hopes to defend her title, while the Cuban team aim to duplicate their first and second place triple jump finish.

Team GB’s ‘Wonder Women’, Jessica Ennis, stands a fair chance of retaining the heptathlon title in Daegu, South Korea, which will put her on the right path towards a successful Olympic 2012 campaign.

The rest of the squad, however, must improve on the six medal (two golds) they left Berlin with, particularly flamboyant but inconsistent triple-jumper Phillips Idowu whose chief rival, Teddy Tamgho, suffered an injury blow earlier this week.

Idowu said recently: ‘I have been jumping consistently well this year so it is just a case of continue doing what I have been doing for the past few years.’

The women’s events are going to be a bit more open this time around, with 100m champion Shelly Ann Fraser showing some indifferent form, which is giving rivals such as Carmelita Jeter much encouragement.

Catch the championships on the BBC TV and iPlayer from 27th August and, below, watch Usain Bolt perform at the 50^th Ostrava Golden Spike in the Czech Republic in May.