大象传媒

It's an Olympic year and you ask athletes about the and most of them will you tell you it's just a minor event. Some of them might actually prefer not to be in Annecy, France.

Having said that, it can be a very useful competition for Olympic preparation if used well, particularly for those less experienced athletes or someone who's competing in their first big event of the year like 400metre runner Nicola Sanders.

It might be a team event, but it gets them used to the heat of competition. And it's pure athletics, just like the Olympics. No prize money, no pace makers.

Although this tournament is clearly less important this year, do not think for one minute the athletes will be taking it easy. No-one will go at it half-heartedly. If an athlete steps on the track it usually means they're ready to compete. Everybody will want to win their event.

This competition wasn't so important when I was running. Firstly, it wasn't held every year and East Germany and Russia used to dominate so much. It started to become a bit more relevant when we started to win a few times!

I remember my first . I was asked to deputise for a couple of runners called Seb Coe and Steve Ovett in the 800m. I ended up finishing third.

So what about this weekend then?
With the Olympics getting close, any athlete aiming to do well in China should be doing well this weekend. Getting in the top two or three is the minimum they'd want.

Britain have definitely got a few chances to win medals. The men, in particular, look strong, especially on the track.

We've got a good record in the 100m and runs this time round. He's quite inexperienced so it's a big test for him, but if he can run 10.06 seconds he is capable of winning.

Other men with a good chance are Martyn Rooney (400m), Andy Turner (110m hurdles), Mo Farah (5,000m), Andy Baddeley (3,000m) and Tom Lancashire in the 1500m.

Two weeks ago in Oslo everyone was focused on winning the Dream Mile in Oslo, but on the same night Lancashire won the 1500m. He's now one of the new kids and has never been in the team before.

He's already got the Olympic qualifying time and here's his chance to see how he copes against eight competitors, with no pacemakers and test his tactics. Watch out for him.

In the 4x100m relay team, it will be really interesting to see what happens with the squad. They are defending Olympic champions and could line up in Beijing with a completely new four, although may still be there.

It's a young squad with the likes of Harry Aikines-Aryeetey and Edgar, so the selectors may prefer to start thinking about 2012 or they must just go with the strongest team possible for Beijing. It's tricky though because there aren't many competitive chances to run the relay.

Following their return to the top tier in this event last year, the British women seem to be improving.

Sanders has been struggling with injury but she's back in the 400m so it will be interesting to see how she gets on in her first big race this season. runs in the 200m and she seems to be working well.

The 4x400 relay team have a big medal chance. Lee McConnell has had to pull out but it's a strong squad with the likes of Jenny Meadows and Marilyn Okoro. All eyes will be on Nicola though.

Off the track, there's Goldie Sayers (javelin) and Jade Johnson (long jump).

We know Sayers has a big throw and she's already beaten some big names. She's got a good outside chance and if she won this weekend with a 65m throw her confidence would go through the roof. Watch out for her as well.

Johnson looks to be back to her best form - she recently jumped 6.71m so this event will be really open.

Because there's only one athlete for each event the best athlete is usually chosen. One surprise inclusion is Emma Ania in the 100m. Two weeks ago you wouldn't have thought she would be here but it will be good to see how she handles the responsibility. She's not far off world class though.

For the other teams, you're struggling to find the big names you'll see at the Olympics. Russian pole vaulter will be there, but she's even having a slightly dodgy year.

The Olympic trials might only be three weeks away but there's plenty of athletics to go before then. This might be a team event but athletes will be looking for strong individual performances.

There's nothing worse than your team doing well and you performing badly.

Steve Cram was talking to 大象传媒 Sport's Peter Scrivener.