Christine Ohuruogu to make Golden League bow in Oslo

CHRISTINE Ohuruogu insists her first Golden League appearance of the season is 'just another race', despite facing arch rival Sanya Richards in Oslo.

GRUDGE MATCH: Christine Ohuruogu will face arch rival Sanya Richards at the Bislett Games in Oslo - the second Golden League meet of the season

Ohuruogu, world and Olympic 400m champion, has seen her season stutter after illness at the European Team Championships earlier this month, and has only competed over 400m once this season.

She clocked a pedestrian 51.14 seconds in a low-level meeting in the Parisian suburb of Montreuil, but other than that has focused on the 200m in a bid to develop her speed.

Richards on the other hand, has been in superb form and has set the three fastest times of the season, including a 49.57 secs outing at the first Golden League meet of the season in Berlin.

The 24-year-old American has a rich Golden League history and helped herself to a share of the $1m prize pot in both 2006 and 2007.

She paid the price in 2007 however, and following a jam-packed Golden League schedule, could only muster fourth at the US trials for the World Championships, ruling her out and opening the door for Ohuruogu.

But while Richards will head to Oslo as favourite, Ohuruogu is adamant the only thing that matters this season is retaining her world crown in August.

"I am much better and I think my illness was more to do with me running and pushing myself a little bit too hard," she said.

"But every time I get out on the track is important for me - probably it is a little bit more crucial now because we are heading towards the World Championships and things start to get a bit nail biting.

"Racing is a bit more serious now and there is a bit more at stake so there is a lot for people to worry about.

"But I won't be doing anything unusual or different - I will just be sensible in training like I would do at any time.

"I am not sure how other people prepare but for me the Golden League meeting is just another race. It is just another race with top competition at a level that I like and am working towards.

"For me at this stage it is all about putting the 400m together - last year was last year and this year presents fresh challenges and I will have to prepare for that.

"I know what I want to work on and the Golden League meeting provides the best competition and the best possible opportunity for me to do that."

Also in action in Berlin will be Mo Farah and the European indoor 3000m champion will face the toughest test of his season to date when he squares off against Olympic 5000m and 10,000m champion Kenenisa Bekele of Ethopia.

Other Brits who have made the trip to Norway include 100m sprinter Simeon Williamson, who will face former world record holder Asafa Powell and Colin McCourt, who competes over 1500m.

Meanwhile, Mark Lewis-Francis continues his comeback from injury in Madrid, where he will face off against Portugal's Francis Obikwelu, Nigeria's Olusoji Fasuba.

Britain's World Indoor silver medallist Chris Tomlinson will take on Olympic long jump gold medallist Jahir Saladino and South Africa's Olympic silver medallist Godfrey Mokoena.

And new British national record holder Kate Dennison, will compete in the pole vault against Russia's Aleksandra Kiryashova, who set a career best of 4.62m in Villeneuve d'Ascq earlier this week and former world record holder Stacy Dragila.

Meanwhile, Olympic 400m finalist Martyn Rooney will miss the World Trials and UK Championships next weekend as a prec-cautionary measure.

The 22-year-old made his first appearance of the summer in Switzerland last week but a scan has since reveal a mnior tear to hamstring fibres.

Rooney will instead look to book his place at the World Championships at the London Grand Prix in Crystal Palace on July 24-25.