Athletics - 17/02/2007

Hazel Irvine introduces coverage of the glamour meeting of the indoor athletics season, the Norwich Union Grand Prix at Birmingham's National Indoor Arena. The Grand Prix traditionally attracts some of the world's best and this year is no exception. The world's greatest distance runner Kenenisa Bekele will have a crack at the World 2000m record this afternoon. Even faster is American Xavier Carter, the second quickest 200 metres runner in history. Carter is making his indoor debut in Britain and will race over 400 metres, an event in which he topped the world indoor rankings for 2006. It's also a crucial afternoon for Britain's top athletes as the meeting provides a final chance for many to earn qualification for the European Indoor Championships, held at the same venue in a fortnight. Britain's new sprint start Craig Pickering goes in the 60m where he heads the European rankings, but will have a tough task on his hands as he's up against the current European sprint champions indoors and out, Britain's Jason Gardener and Francis Obikwelu of Portugal. The line-up includes: 2.35 Men's 400m, 2.40 Men's Triple Jump, 2.45 Men's 60m heats, 3.10 Women's 60m Final, 3.50 Men's 2000m, 4.00 Women's 2 miles, 4.15 Men's 60m Final. Commentary from Steve Cram, Stuart Storey, Paul Dickenson and Jonathan Edwards.