A look ahead to the women’s sprint and hurdles events at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games

100m

Trinidad and Tobago s Michelle-Lee Ahye is the fastest in the field with 10.82 and is unbeaten in 10 finals at the distance in 2014.

The other in the way of the Jamaicans is Nigeria s Blessing Okagbare. She is also entered for the 200m, 4x100m relay and long jump, in which she has a PB of 7.00m.

The Jamaican trio are led by 2004 and 2008 Olympic 200m and 2007 world 100m champion Veronica Campbell-Brown. The 32-year-old has been a tenth of a second off her best with 10.86 this year.

Kerron Stewart, the 2008 Olympic silver medallist, and Schillonie Calvert, a world relay champion, bolster Jamaica s chances having run 11.02 and 11.08 respectively this year.

The improving Bianca Williams and Asha Philip of England head the home nations charge in this event, while their compatriot Ashleigh Nelson is also on top form.

Facts and figures

Predictions: 1 Michelle-Lee Ahye (TTO); 2 Veronica Campbell-Brown (JAM); 3 Blessing Ogakbare (NGR). Predicted mark: 11.04
Reigning champion: Natasha Mayers (SVG) 11.37

200m

In her quest for four medals in Glasgow, Blessing Okagbare has strong chances of gold here.

The Nigerian s PB of 22.23 set this year and her next three fastest times have been better than the best result of the No.2 in the line-up, Bahamas Antonique Strachan.

England’s Jodie Williams became the quickest Brit since 2004 with her 22.60 recently. Bianca Williams, who has run four sub-23s this season, including her 22.79, also has a chance of a medal.

The fifth-ranked of five Englishwomen to have run below 23 seconds this season is the experienced Anyika Onuoura. However, competition for medals will be tight, particularly in the presence of Bahamas Sheniqua Ferguson and Jamaica s Schillonie Calvert, Samantha Henry-Robertson, Anneisha McLaughlin.

Facts and figures

Predictions: 1 Blessing Okagbare (NGR); 2 Jodie Williams (ENG); 3 Anneisha McLoughlin (JAM). Predicted mark: 22.50
Reigning champion: Cydonie Mothersille (CAY) 22.89

400m

Defending champion and 2011 world champion Amantle Montsho has been short of her best form this year, her 50.37 being more than a second outside her PB. The Botswana athlete has also not won on the circuit since a low-key race in April.

Novlene Williams-Mills, who won bronze in the 2006 Commonwealths, is No.1 on paper.

Jamaica’s Stephanie McPherson is another contender, while her compatriot Christine Day is second quickest in the Commonwealth this year with 50.16.

England s Shana Cox is the quickest from the home nations with her 52.11 from New York. Compatriot Kelly Massey, who has run a PB of 52.29 this year, will be hoping to improve after reaching the semi-final in 2010.

England s Margaret Adeoye has has recently shown great 100m form with 11.28. Her season s best of 52.27 is down on her 2013 personal best of 51.93.

Facts and figures

Predictions: 1 Novlene Williams-Mills (JAM); 2 Amantle Montsho (BOT); 3 Christine Day (JAM). Predicted mark: 50.36
Reigning champion: Amantle Montsho (BOT) 50.10

100m hurdles

Sally Pearson of Australia defends her title in the face of strong opposition from Tiffany Porter of England.

Porter goes into the Games with the upper hand, too, after her confidence-boosting victory at the Sainsbury s Anniversary Games last weekend where she beat Pearson, plus world champion Brianna Rollins of the United States.

Pearson, 27, is the Olympic champion and finished second in the World Championships in Moscow last year, one place in front of Porter.

Other contenders include Angela Whyte the Canadian has run a swift 12.89 in 2014 and finished runner-up at the 2006 and 2010 Commonwealth Games.

Facts and figures

Predictions: 1 Sally Pearson (AUS); 2 Tiffany Porter (ENG); 3 Angela Whyte (CAN). Predicted mark: 12.75
Reigning champion: Sally McClellan (AUS) 12.67

400m hurdles

Kaliese Spencer is No.1 on paper and she will break Scottish hearts if she beats the poster girl of these Games, Eilidh Child.

Child was fifth in the IAAF World Championships last year and is one of the host nation s strongest medal hopes, but Spencer has placed fourth in the 2012 Olympics and twice at the IAAF World Championships and her season s best is almost a second quicker.

Other contenders include Janieve Russell, the 2012 world junior champion from Jamaica, plus Wenda Nel of South Africa, Nikita Tracey of Jamaica and Janeil Bellille, although England s No.1 Meghan Beesley will not be in Glasgow after sustaining a stress fracture in her foot.

Facts and figures

Predictions: 1 Kaliese Spencer (JAM); 2 Eilidh Child (SCO); 3 Janieve Russell (JAM). Predicted mark: 53.85
Reigning champion: Muizat Odumosu (NGR) 55.28

For more in-depth previews together with rankings, a timetable and further stats see the July 24 issue of AW

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