Athletics: Melbourne just a warm-up for our Olympic hopefuls

Amid all the sound and fury over New Zealand's poor medal return from Melbourne, it's worth pondering what shape we're in for Beijing and the Olympics in 2008.

The Commonwealth Games are taking on the look of a lead-up to the Olympics, rather than a high-calibre international event in its own right.

In Beijing, the usual suspects will be in sharp focus - the rowing squad, aiming to build on Caroline and Georgina Evers-Swindell's double scull gold in Athens in 2004, plus their four gold medal haul at last year's world championships in Japan; cyclist Sarah Ulmer, on the road not the track where she won her Olympic gold; the sailing squad, although they flattered to deceive in Athens; and the three-day eventers who, while lacking the real class of the days of Mark Todd and Blyth Tait, should still be competitive.

Of those in Melbourne, here's a selection of some worth watching with Beijing in mind ...

Valerie Vili
Don't be surprised if the South Auckland shot putter arrives in Beijing the favourite for gold. And before anyone starts grizzling about putting pressure on athletes, consider her gold medal throw of 19.66m in Melbourne - a Games record - would have won the gold at Athens.

Then consider her personal best is 20.20m, she's ranked No 2 in the world and will be 23 in Beijing and the world will be her oyster.

Nick Willis
He stands in elite company - Jack Lovelock and Peter Snell are the only other New Zealanders to have won the Games mile or 1500m title. His time, 3min 38.49s, was way short of his personal best 3:32.38, which is a blink behind John Walker's national record. No two races are identical, but if Willis had run his best time in Athens he'd have won the gold. And at 22, his best years lie ahead. If you like omens consider this: both Lovelock and Snell went on to win the Olympic title two years after winning their Empire (now Commonwealth) golds.

Bevan Docherty
He won silver in Athens as part of that marvellous 1-2 finish with Hamish Carter. His second in Melbourne reinforced his standing as one of triathlon's toughest competitors. Expect the former world champion to figure again in Beijing.

Moss Burmester
His Games record-shattering 200m butterfly swim on the opening night in Melbourne set the tone for a strong New Zealand meet. His 1min 56.64s would have had him in the final at Athens. A single-minded, well grounded athlete for whom Beijing could be the pinnacle of his career.

Andrea Hewitt
A late surge won her bronze in the women's triathlon at Melbourne ahead of compatriot Debbie Tanner.

Hewitt won the world under-23 title last year in only her fourth race, so natural athletic gifts are clearly in evidence.

The former national surf lifesaving champion has a big future.

Jason Stewart
He was fifth in the 800m final in 1min 47.72s. The cocky 24-year-old from Napier has a PB of 1min 46.19s, which would have had him finishing in Athens less than 2s behind the winner. Again, coming into his prime.