Lagat, Webb bid for long awaited American 1,500m gold

OSAKA, Japan, Aug 28 (Reuters) Bernard Lagat and Alan Webb both bid to become the first American men's world 1,500 metres champion in the highlight of tomorrow's action at the world championships.

The women's 100 metres hurdles, 400 metres and discus, and men's high jump medals will also be decided, while 100m champion Tyson Gay continues his quest for a sprint double in the 200 semi-finals.

Defending champion Rashid Ramzi of Bahrain and young Kenyan Asbel Kiprop should present tough opposition but it would be a surprise if the Americans did not claim their first medal in the men's 1,500 since Jim Spivey's bronze in 1987.

Kenyan-born Lagat has the fastest career best time of the 1,500 metres finalists, his three minutes 26.34 just 0.34 seconds outside Hicham El Guerrouj's world record, while Webb has been the most consistent miler of the season.

Defending champion Michelle Perry of the US was the fastest qualifier for the women's 100m hurdles final with a time of 12.55.

She will be among the favourites for gold along with Canadians Perdita Felicien and Angela Whyte.

Mexico's Ana Guevara, bronze medallist in 2005, will bid for the women's 400m title along with Jamaican Novlene Williams, the fastest qualifier, and Britons Nicola Sanders and Christine Ohuruogu.

Gay led the qualifiers for the men's 200m semi-finals despite being troubled by a sore hamstring.

''I am kind of down right now, my left hamstring is bothering me,'' Gay told reporters, adding that he had been bitten by a spider before his 100 metres bid.

Overwhelming men's 400m favourite Jeremy Wariner continues his bid to win back to back world titles, also at the semi-final stage.

REUTERS BJR RAI2048