It's rare for an Irish sprinter to be in such a position going into a major championships but the 24-year-old Cork woman has been in devastating form over this explosive distance.

Two weeks ago she lowered her national record from 7.98 to 7.90 seconds which ranked her sixth fastest in the world in the lead up to Moscow. That time was achieved in a relatively lowpressure race at the Irish championships in Belfast but she repeated the performance in Lievin, France on Friday night.

At that meeting O'Rourke won her heat comfortably by two clear yards in 7.92 seconds and came out 45 minutes later to win the final in 7.90 seconds, beating Nigerian Josephine Onyia who had earlier run 7.88 in her heat to rank number four in the world and move the Irish runner down to seventh.

O'Rourke has always looked capable of such form ever since she emerged through schools and junior level. Coached by Jim Kilty, she is now beginning to fulfil her potential with excellent leg speed and a brilliant hurdling style.

The fact that O'Rourke is an excellent competitor who is capable of achieving her best under pressure . . . as she showed in France on Friday . . . will stand to her during the championships.

She also has a decent pedigree with a semi-final appearance in the 100m hurdles at the World Championships in Helsinki last summer and a final appearance in the European under23's in 2001 behind her.

The world list is headed by Lacenna Golden-Clarke of Jamaica with a best of 7.83 seconds but O'Rourke can match the very best.

Last year David Gillick became the first Irish athlete to win a gold medal in a sprint event for decades when he took the European indoor 400m title in Madrid.

Gillick has also been selected for Moscow but his participation there is in doubt as he awaits word on the postponement of an examination scheduled for next Monday.

James Nolan also goes to Moscow on the back of some very good form in the 1,500m while Alistair Cragg has the class and potential to challenge for a medal in the 3,000m where there are some strong African entries, including the great Kenenisa Bekele of Ethiopia.