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MEN'S

Men's 100m

Traditionally the event that grabs the headlines and with all the heavyweights of the sprint in London, this race is likely to do just that. Dwain Chambers is the local lad now carrying an added weight of expectation after his European gold success. Chambers has beaten world record holder Maurice Greene three times already this year and will need to do so again to win here. But to boil this event down to a simple head to head between the pair ignores the strength of the field: Tim Montgomery, Frankie Fredericks, Shawn Crawford, Mark Lewis-Francis - it's a case of take your pick. Two semi-finals will be required to whittle the field down to it's final eight.

Men's 400m

The world's top two: Leonard Byrd and Alvin Harrison start as favourites, but European champion Ingo Schultz and former world champion Antonio Pettigrew are the men with the big-time credentials. All in all a daunting task for the latest in a long line of world class British one-lappers, Daniel Caines.

Men's Mile

Mention of the mile anywhere in the world inevitably conjures up images of Coe, Cram and Ovett. Britain may not dominate as it used to, but these isles remain a spiritual home for the distance. It's a tradition recognised by the peerless world number one Hicham El Guerrouj. Four of the world's five next best racers also run, but don't expect anyone to get close to the Moroccan - already a bona fide legend of the sport. Commonwealth champion Michael East is the fast improving Brit with the onerous challenge of living up to this country's middle distance legacy.

Men's 110m Hurdles

Three names have dominated this event in recent years - Olympic champion Anier Garcia, world champion Allen Johnson and world record holder Colin Jackson. With all three at Crystal Palace, it's a fitting final bow for Jackson in his last ever outdoor appearance in Britain. South Africa's Shaun Bownes - who beat Jackson to take Commonwealth gold in Manchester - and the exciting young Latvian Stanislav Olijar also run.

Men's 400m Hurdles

A race that includes the reigning Olympic, world, European and Commonwealth champions, namely Angelo Taylor, Felix Sanchez, Stephane Diagana and Britain's Chris Rawlinson. For good measure America's James Carter - second to Sanchez in the world this year - will be on the blocks as will Matt Elias, confirming his arrival on the world stage this year.

Men's Triple Jump

One theme of the night may be the UK's best against the rest, but in the triple jump the two longest jumpers around are both British. The contrast between the pair is fascinating - Jonathan Edwards is the man who has achieved everything in the sport: the Grand Slam of major championship gold medals and the longest jump (by a considerable margin) ever seen in the event. Phillips Idowu is the extravagant young talent expected to eventually take over Edward's mantle. The big threat to the British duo will come from American Walter Davis, already a victor over Edwards this season.

WOMEN'S

Women's 100m

For the first time this year the two fastest women in the world compete in the same race. Marion Jones is the Olympic champion who appeared untouchable as the world's number one until Ukraine's Zhanna Pintusevich-Block beat her in last year's World Championships. The race could go either way and don't rule out a wild horse from a world class field that includes double Commonwealth champion Debbie Ferguson, Jamaica's Tayna Lawrence and America's Chryste Gaines.

Women's 800m

The women's two-lap race is one of the most fiercely competed on the circuit, so expect sparks to fly at Crystal Palace. Jolanda Ceplak confirmed her position as world number one with a comprehensive victory in the European Championships while reigning world, Commonwealth and Olympic champion Maria Mutola also runs. Zulia Calatayud is second fastest in the world this year while three Brits - Kelly Holmes, Jo Fenn and Susan Scott all go.

Women's 5000m

In a race that will have two pacemakers expect a quick time - possibly even getting close to Bo Jiang's world record of 14:28.09. The field has enough quality to do that with Olympic champion Gabriela Szabo, European champion Marta Dominguez and former world champion Sonia O'Sullivan.

Pole Vault

After a prolific spell of record breaking by the pioneers of the women's pole vault it has been over a year since the bar was raised. London could well be the venue for that. The balance of power in the event has shifted slightly with Russia's Svetlana Feofanova now having the upper hand over Olympic and world champion Stacy Dragila. Either is still capable of beating Dragila's world best of 4.81m. The strong line-up includes all of the eight best in the world this year

just in

• Olympic champion Gabriela Szabo has been added to a glittering field for Friday's Norwich Union Grand Prix at Crystal Palace.

• The three-time world champion completes a world class line-up in the women's 5000m that also includes newly-crowned European champion Marta Dominguez and world number three Berhane Adere of Ethiopia.

• Other current Olympic champions to sign up for the London meeting are 1500m gold winner Noah Ngeny in the mile and 5000m champion Million Wolde in the men's 3000m.

• In total, ten current Olympic champions will compete across the 17 events at Crystal Palace.

• Of those reigning Olympic champions not present, America's Michael Johnson and Olga Shishigina of Kazakhstan have retired.

• Past Olympic champions competing include high hurdlers Allen Johnson and Gail Devers, while seven US relay gold medallists will run.

• A total of 33 current and reigning world champions will feature.

• Commonwealth 100m champion Kim Collins and Olympic long jump champion Heike Drechsler have pulled out of Friday's meeting

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