Athletics: MEDAL HOPE ATO FLIES HIGH

ATO BOLDON witnessed the horror of the Paris Concorde disaster last week, yet Trinidad's best hope of an Olympic gold medal in Sydney has no problem stepping on to another aeroplane today.

The 26-year-old former 200m world champion makes the short journey from Oslo to Stockholm for his next race.

"I know what the aviation record of the Concorde is like," Boldon said after winning both the 100 and 200 metres races at the Golden League meeting in Oslo on Friday night.

"I'd be happy to fly on Concorde tomorrow," said Boldon.

For world-class athletes like Boldon, international flight is a day-to-day necessity. After racing in Stockholm on Tuesday, he will be flying to London, for the Norwich Union Grand Prix 100m next Saturday. Boldon will face the best of British next Saturday, with the resurgent European champion Darren Campbell and fellow European Cup winner Christian Malcolm both likely to line up against him.

Boldon wants to meet up with his old schoolfriend from Port of Spain, Manchester United's Dwight Yorke, and then spend some time on Thursday watching the Third Test between England and West Indies, and another old pal, Brian Lara.

Trinidad's last Olympic sprint champion was Haseley Crawford in Montreal 24 years ago. But after injuries suffered by Michael Johnson and Maurice Greene in their 200-metre showdown at the American trials last week, Boldon's chances of success at the Sydney Games have improved dramatically.

Boldon's training partner, Greene, will be out of action for at least three weeks at a crucial time in Olympic year.

"Of course I think I can win in Sydney," declared Boldon - the seventh fastest man in history with his 100m best of 9.86 seconds.

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