Women's 400 metres runner Williams-Darling of the Bahamas and Sweden's triple jumper Olsson are still in contention for the prize divided between competitors who win each of their events at the six showcase meetings.

If they win on Sunday, all they will have to do to pocket their share of the jackpot will be to attend the IAAF final in Monaco the following weekend.

Their form so far this season suggests they will each take half the prize and will not end up as rich 800 metres runner Maria Mutola of Mozambique, who became the first athlete to win all the money last year.

Surprises, however, are always possible. Olympic 400 metres hurdler Felix Sanchez of the Dominican Republic had not lost for three years and seemed a safe bet for a part of the jackpot when he pulled up and limped off the track at the previous Golden League meeting in Brussels earlier this month.

Over 30 medallists from Athens are in the Berlin field, among them Britain's Kelly Holmes, who shone in Greece with her 800 and 1,500 metres double.

"I keep having to look at the gold medals," said the 34-year-old, who has no intention of retiring. "Yes, my names are engraved on the back but after everything I have been through in my career, it all does seem a bit surreal."

BLUE TRACK

After two years at another venue, the Berlin meeting returns to the Olympic stadium, which has just been renovated and now features an eye-catching blue track.

The over 50,000 fans expected to attend will cheer on local favourite Heike Drechsler in her last outdoor meeting.

The 39-year-old double Olympic long jump champion will then enter a few indoor events before retiring.

Drechsler was expected to challenge Marion Jones but the American pulled out because of back pain and will be replaced by Russia's Olympic champion Tatyana Lebedeva.

Olympic 110 metres hurdles champion Liu Xiang of China, whose duel with American Allen Johnson would have been one of the highlights, will not be there either.

Liu did not receive permission to leave from the Chinese federation and will also miss the September 18-19 IAAF final in Monaco.