Three Ms not part of US camp

Maurice Greene, Marion Jones and Michael Johnson, the biggest names in the U.S. track and field team, are all giving their country's Brisbane training camp a miss and will prepare for the Olympics in separate locations.

Greene, the 100 metres world record holder and favourite to win the event in Sydney, will race in Yokohama, Japan, on Saturday before flying direct to Sydney.

Joining him there next week will be Johnson, the 400 metres champion and world record holder, who flew home to America after last Sunday's race in Rieti, Italy, for a week of preparations.

Jones, seeking gold in the 100 metres, 200 metres, 4x100 metres, 4x400 metres and long jump, is expected in Melbourne on Friday. Jones, travelling with her husband, U.S. shot-putter C.J. Hunter, is to train there privately before moving on to Sydney.

One of her main rivals for the 100 metres title, compatriot Inger Miller, will also travel direct to Sydney from the United States.

Most American team members are to remain in Brisbane until next week but only a few are down to compete in the weekend's two local meets.

The Harrison twins, Alvin and Calvin, will run the 400 metres in Brisbane on Friday night while Savante Stringfellow and Melvin Lister will take part in the long jump.

Legally blind runner Marla Runyan is also scheduled to race the 1,500 metres on Friday as she prepares to become the first Para-Olympian to race in the Olympics.

U.S. team officials said, however, they were unable to confirm which athletes would take part in Sunday's "Opening Games" at Runaway Bay.

That meet will feature heats and a final for the 100 metres, at the request of Australian sprinter Matt Shirvington. This replicates the Olympics when two heats take place on the first day followed by the semi-finals and final on the second.

The track, laid with the same surface as the Olympic Stadium, serves as a training base for several nations, including Canada, Germany, Norway, Morocco and Trinidad and Tobago, most of whom will have some runners on Sunday.