Vlasic eyes gold and possible record in Beijing

Croatia's world champion high jumper Blanka Vlasic has set her sights on gold at the Beijing Olympics and said yesterday she could even win it with a world record.

Vlasic, in Doha to take part in tomorrow's Qatar Super Grand Prix, told reporters she was focusing more on winning the gold medal at August's Games but could also beat the record of 2.09 metres set by Bulgarian Stefka Kostadinova in 1987.

"I had a good season last year and my sole aim this year is to do better. I have been consistently clearing two metres and have recorded a personal best of 2.07 at the Stockholm Grand Prix in August," the 24-year-old said.

"I won't say it is impossible to better the world record but right now my goal is the Olympics. I would say it is possible that I could win the gold in Beijing with a world record."

The Qatar Super Grand Prix will see some of the world's best athletes in action. World 100 metres record holder Asafa Powell of Jamaica pulled out with a chest injury, leaving Nigeria's world indoor 60 metres champion Olusoji Fasuba as the favourite to win the sprint event.

The 400 metres promises to be a mouthwatering showdown between Americans world champion Jeremy Wariner and LaShawn Merritt, while Sudan's world indoor champion Abubaker Kaki Khamis is expected to dominate the 800 metres.

In the women's events, world 200 metres champion Allyson Felix of the United States is the favourite for the 100 metres, although Sri Lankan Susanthika Jayasinghe could push her hard.