A closely contested men's decathlon heads a day of seven finals to be decided at the world athletics championships in Edmonton, Canada on Tuesday. Briton Dean Macey begins the second day of the 10-event competition just a single point ahead of Tomas Dvorak of the Czech Republic. Erki Nool of Estonia and Czech world record holder Roman Sebrle are also expected to challenge for medals.
Olympic champion Nils Schumann of Germany might be the man to beat in the men's 800-meters. But Andre Bucher of Switzerland has been the leading performer this season and is also considered a favorite.
In women's competitions, two long distance events will be contested Tuesday. Britain's Paula Radcliffe is the favorite in the 10,000 meters, while Gabriela Szabo of Romania is the fastest qualifier in the 1,500 meters. Italian Fiona May will be trying to avenge her loss of the gold medal to Spaniard Nuika Montalvo at the world championships two years ago in the finals of the long jump. Germany's Grit Breuer has the fastest qualifying time heading into the 400-meters, while Olga Kuzenkova of Russia has only been beaten twice this year in the hammer throw.