Athletics: Modahl remains on track

Diane Modahl stepped up the pace of her 800m comeback at a grand prix meeting in Bratislava on Wednesday night. She finished fourth in a time of 2min 02.03sec in a race won by the World Championship silver medallist, Letitia Vriesde of Surinam, in 2:00.62.

Modahl ran two seconds faster than in her first international race for nearly two years in Hengelo on Monday, when she was ninth, and her performance will offer the former Commonwealth champion encouragement in her bid for an Olympic qualifying time of 2:01.00.

A rare victory over Colin Jackson will offer Tony Jarrett hope that he might step out of the world-record holder's shadow. The 27-year-old Londoner shaded a tight 110m hurdles race with 13.24sec to his rival's 13.27sec.

Jarrett has been second best to Jackson for most of his career. When he finished ahead of him at Crystal Palace last season, it was the first time for three years.

Darren Campbell, called up earlier in the day to Britain's sprint relay squad for the European Cup in Madrid, underlined his bright early season form in the 100m.

The former European junior champion, who is 22, followed up a career- best 10.25sec in Slovenia on Sunday with another victory and a faster time of 10.17sec.