Athletics: Time trial for Gardener

The European indoor champion Jason Gardener is hoping world-class opposition will help him run a fast 100 metres in today's Super Grand Prix in Lausanne.

Gardener has struggled to hit top form and recorded only 10.23sec when winning in Dortmund recently, but hopes to peak on the same track where he became only the third Briton to break 10sec for the 100m, following Linford Christie and Dwain Chambers. Even the 9.99sec Gardener ran four years ago might not be fast enough to guarantee a place in the Athletissima 2003 final.

Among his opponents tonight will be the former world record holder, Maurice Greene, and this year's US champion, Bernard Williams, as well as the European silver medallist, Francis Obikwelu of Portugal.

Notable absentees include the world record holder, Tim Montgomery, and Europe's top two Chambers and Mark Lewis-Francis.