The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Eugene

Setting a sensational target for the Beijing Olympics, US women's Olympic athletics coach Jeanette Bolden predicted that the 2008 American track and field Olympic squad will be the greatest yet.

Two days ahead of Friday's opening events at the US team selection meet here at Hayward Field, Bolden boldly said this year's men and women have the talent to surpass the 25 medals won by US athletes at the 2004 Athens Olympics.

"This will be our best Olympic Games because it will be a mix veteran athletes and up and coming athletes," Bolden said. "Wearing red, white and blue will bring everyone together." The Americans, who won 26 medals at last year's world championships in Osaka, have a hungry group of veteran competitors being pushed by rising young challengers, Bolden said.

"We want as many medals as possible," she said.

"You have some athletes that are veterans I anticipate will make the team that may have not medaled before. They are veterans now and have more to focus on."

Reigning 100- and 200-meter world champion Tyson Gay and Allyson Felix, who won the 200 world title and helped two women's relay crowns, will lead more than 1,000 athletes seeking a place on the US team.

Jeremy Wariner, the reigning world and Olympic 400 champion, and Sanya Richards are 400 favorites while reigning world champion Brad Walker and world number two Jenn Stuczynski are the people to beat in the pole vault.

Kenyan-born US star Bernard Lagat, the world champion at 1,500 and 5,000 meters, will try to book a chance for a double at Beijing. So will Shalane Flanagan, who owns the US record in her events, the 5,000 and 10,000.

"Our bread and butter would have to be our sprint events," Bolden said. "We're definitely making some inroads in our distance events." The top three in most events at the Olympic trials will qualify for Beijing, provided they meet performance standards. Failure on the wrong day could leave a star sitting home no matter how impressive their history.

"That's what is exciting about our trials and our system.

They can blow it like anyone else in the final," Bolden said. "Your opportunity to go to the Olympic Games is on your shoulders. Your destiny is in your hands."

An illness or injury on the wrong day could spell doom for a lifetime's work for even such stars as Gay or Felix.

The US Olympic athletics team will be revealed July 13, a week after the conclusion of the meet and five days after USA Track and Field submits names.