The 400m is again very open because Michael Johnson is absent.

Only under a handful have gone under 45 seconds and the event hasn't come alight this year.

But sadly none of the British in this event which used to be so strong for us, have a chance of making the medal rostrum.

In fact, it would be a major surprise if they make the final.

Mark Richardson, the UK No1, is struggling to get down to 45 seconds this year and Iwan Thomas, European and Commonwealth champion, has only been added to the team as an afterthought and one should be looking across the Atlantic for the favourites.

Tyree Washington has run 44.2 this year on June 12, sometime ago but recent form is hard to go on.

Avard Moncur of the Bahamas ran 44.4 in July or look to the experience of Jamaican Greg Haughton with 44.5 at Seville in early June.

Hendrik Mokanyesti the South African has run 44.7 and another Jamaican Michael McDonald also 44.7 this year.

If I had to put my name on it, I would go for the Americans.

Their domestic system involved several rounds just like the major championship and they come into this event very well-prepared and being in North America, they will have plenty of support.

I would go for Washington, the experience of Haughton and the youthful aggression of Mokanyesti, the South African.