The United States is expected to make a huge impact in the sprints but what the nation has craved for more than three decades is a world-class middle-distance athlete. In Alan Webb, America might just have found its long-awaited star.

Until this year, the 24-year-old had struggled to fulfil the talent he showed at high school, but this season he appears to be a much-improved athlete. He tops the World season’s lists for 1500m (3:30.54) and the Mile (3:46.91) – setting a US record in the latter – and is unbeaten over the two distances in seven outdoor outings.

He also set an impressive 800m personal best of 1:43.84 and arrives in Osaka as pre-event favourite.

Behind Webb it is difficult to separate the rest of the pack. Defending champion Rashid Ramzi of Bahrain, who memorably claimed the 800m and 1500m double in Helsinki, intends to start in Osaka but he has failed to compete this year. His countryman Belal Mansoor Ali has run 3:31.49 and he’s triumphed in his last three races in Athens, Lausanne and Monaco.

Kenyan Daniel Kipchirchir Komen won the 1500m in Oslo and has recorded 3:32.44 and 3:48.28 for the 1500m and Mile this year but he disappointed at the last World Championships and failed to progress beyond his heat. Compatriot Shadrack Korir has run 3:31.18 this year and may also threaten.

Mehdi Baala of France, the World silver medallist in 2003, ran 3:31.01 in Paris but has competed sparingly this year.

Watch out, too, for Algerian Tarek Boukensa who will start as a dark horse after his 3:30.92 clocking in Rome.

American veteran Bernard Lagat, the 2001 silver medallist, showed signs of a return to his best by winning the 1500m in London in his last outing over the metric Mile prior to Osaka.

Osaka 2007 News Team