Alleyne Francique knows just how much a gold medal would mean for Grenada at the Commonwealth Games - and the 400 metres runner is determined to provide it.

The Caribbean nation which competed in its first Games in Edinburgh in 1970 has never won a medal of any colour.

However, Francique is determined to put that right in Melbourne, not only for himself but also for a country that has been through the wringer since the last Games in Manchester four years ago.

On September 7, 2004 the category five Hurricane Ivan wreaked havoc on the 'Isle of Spice' and the rebuilding is not yet complete. It was estimated that 90 per cent of homes in the country had sustained at least some damage.

Francique is hoping he will be able to give the country a fillip with a gold medal at the Melbourne Cricket Ground although he is also concentrating on defending his title at the World Indoor Championships in Moscow the week before the Games begin.

"I am very pleased with my progress," Francique said.

His time of 46.19sec in New York on February 5 was a world-leading mark for 2006.

"I am hoping to go and defend my title (in Moscow) and then hopefully win a gold (in Melbourne), not just for me but for my country as well."

It's unusual for a major outdoor championship to be staged in March as Francique readily admits.

"Normally we train so we reach our peak in June or July," he admitted. "Melbourne is coming early but we must be prepared for it."

The 29-year-old Francique admits he is still looking ahead to 2008 when he will hope to win a medal for Grenada in Beijing.

In 2004 in Athens, Francique was the pre-race favourite for gold in the spiritual home of the Olympics after a fine season where he had run a personal best of 44.47sec in Osaka.

However, Francique faltered in the final and finished fourth, missing out on a medal although a week after the end of those Games Hurricane Ivan would put his own failure into perspective.

Francique is keenly aware of what an Olympic medal would mean for Grenada in China.

"I can't say I wasn't disappointed," he said, reflecting on his Athens run. "But I really want to go back (to the Olympics) and win a medal - not only for me but for my homeland as well because it would mean a lot."

However, for the moment Francique is focused on his twin goals of Moscow and Melbourne.

"My (indoor) title means a lot to me and in Melbourne I want gold," said Francique who has no health problems to report.

"I am very pleased with my performances so far this season and the way things are going so I am going to continue doing my best and then let God decide."

In Manchester Francique led into the final straight in the final but eventually finished fifth behind Jamaican winner Michael Blackwood.

The withdrawal from the Games of Welshman Tim Benjamin has smoothed Francique's path to success in Melbourne but he insists that he is not taking anything for granted.

"There are plenty of good runners out there and I am not just focusing on one or two men," said Francique. "It will be a very good quality race. Everyone's a threat."