The programme for the 57th Cork City Sports meeting was officially launched by the Deputy Lord Mayor of Cork, Councillor Tony Fitzgerald, yesterday (Wednesday, June 11), with athletes from over 30 countries already confirmed to compete.

Sweden's Olympic heptathlon Champion Carolina Kluft is certain to be the star attraction at this years international meet, which takes place at the Mardyke Arena on Saturday, July 12. The three-time World Champion will compete in the long-jump event, along with current Irish champion Kelly Proper from Waterford.

Other star attractions confirmed for the event include Cork's own former World Indoor Champion Derval O'Rourke, who will compete in the 100m Hurdles. Marina Topic (Slovenia), Andrea Bliss (Jamaica), Michel Catteneo (Italy) and a few quick Americans are set to provide stern opposition for the local star from Douglas however.

Former World Indoor Champion, World and Olympic Silver Medallist, James Beckford of Jamica, who set a Meeting record of 8.18m for the long jump in 2006, returns to Leeside, where he will square up to this year Australia's Commonwealth Medallist Fabrice Lapierre as well as the highly touted Nils Winter of Germany.

David Gillick, double European Indoor Champion over 400m, will be the big attraction in his event where he will be pitted against Chris Lloyd (Dominica), Greg Nixon (USA) and former World Indoor Medallist, Paul McKee (Northern Ireland). An outstanding field will compete in the Women's 400m also with previous winners Makelesi Batimala (Fiji), Kaltouma Nadjina (Chad) and Joanne Cuddihy from Kilkenny competing with Aliann Pompey (Guyana).

Irish Sprint Record holder over 100m and 200m, Paul Hession, an impressive home winner for the past two years, is likely to attempt a unique sprint double on this occasion. His duel with leading sprinters, Golden League winner, Brendan Christian (Antigua), DaBryan Blanton (USA), winner of the 100m in Cork last year and former winner, Dwight Thomas (Jamaica) will be another highlight. Also in the Women's sprints, Laurene Jones, (Virgin Islands), Tahesia Harrigan, Nadine Palmer (Jamaica), Verena Sailer (Germany) will bring the best out of Cork's own top sprinter, Ailis McSweeney.

Fierce competition is also expected in the high-jump competition and shot-put events with a number of former World Champions, Olympic Medallists and record holders set to compete. The impressive line-up gives further credence to the claim by the event organisers that the Cork City Sports Meeting is now one of the most respected and competitive athletics meeting in Europe. It is currently ranked in the top five by the European Athletic Association.

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