The biggest story surrounding the middle distance events in the build up to the Beijing Olympics has been the expulsion of Yelena Soboleva. The Russian middle distance runner holds the fastest times in 2008 for both the 800m and 1500m but was one of seven Russian athletes to be recently banned for doping offences.

With the Russian favourite now unable to compete, this leaves Bahrain athlete Yusuf Maryam Jamal as the new favourite, who is expected to repeat her 2007 World Championship success of a gold medal in the 1500m. Pamela Jelimo will enter the 800m race as strong favourite thanks to a very successful start to the 2008 season. Although Soboleva has run the fastest time of the year, Jelimo has been highly consistent and recorded the five next fastest times. Jelimo’s main rival will now be fellow Kenyan Janeth Jepkosgei, who won the gold medal for the 800m in the 2007 World Championships.

The men’s middle distance has been less controversial with the focus on the athletics rather than off- field events. If the Olympic 800m final is anything like the 2007 World Championship final then it will prove to be a close affair. Kenyan athlete Alfred Yego finished just 0.1 seconds ahead of Canadian half-miler Gary Reed, in what was an overall close race. Athens Olympic gold medalist Yuriy Borzakovskiy will also be competing and will hope to repeat his success from 2004. Borzakovskiy is a strong contender, as is South African Mbulaeni Mulaudzi who won silver in Athens and more recently silver in the 2008 World Indoor Championships in Valencia.

The 1500m will see a more traditional Kenyan influence as Daniel Komen, Augustine Choge and Asbel Kiprop all seek a podium finish. However Kenya-born American Bernard Lagat will go in as favourite to win the 1500m following his gold medal at the 2007 World Championships.