The 2003 Welsh track and field championships return to the newly refurbished Cwmbran Stadium this weekend, but the normally star studded field has been hit due to the European Cup also taking place this weekend.

Most of Wales' top stars including Christian Malcolm, Jamie Baulch, Matt Elias and Iwan Thomas are missing. The quartet are representing Great Britain at this year's European Cup in Florence and will miss the annual Welsh event.

And Risca-based sprinter Jamie Baulch has admitted his disappointment at missing this year's Welsh Championships.

"It's a shame that they have clashed with the European Cup this year because it's something we were all hoping to attend.

"I don't know about the rest of the guys but I personally always look forward to it as it's nice to compete on home soil in front of Welsh fans."

Despite the loss of the quartet this year's event should still see some fine athletics.

Two of Wales's leading middle distance athletes have entered both the 800m and 1500m.

The emerging star of the metric mile is James Thie (Cardiff), who sprang to prominence during the indoor season, when he won the AAA indoor title at Birmingham, and followed this by setting a new Welsh Indoor record at the World Indoor championships.

Thie is now a well seasoned traveller and athlete, having spent most of the winter months cris-crossing the Atlantic, to compete in the USA.

Matt Shone (Woodfrod Green & Essex Ladies), who was a semi-finalist at last seasons Commonwealth Games, and who recently won the Inter Counties mile at Bedford, will be seeking to add yet another Welsh title to his trophy cabinet.

Pick of the field events will be the men's pole vault, where the evergreen Tim Thomas (Cardiff), will hoping that the weather is favourable, as last year's event was cancelled due to the high winds.

Thomas who is currently ranked second in the UK, will be hard pressed by Cameron Johnston (Croydon) and Scott Simpson(Birchfield), both men are former students at UWIC.

With World Indoor finalist Katherine Murphy not in the starting line up for any of the sprint events it looks like the women's sprint titles could be a three way battle between former Welsh champion Lucy Evans (Sale), the UWIC student and former AAA indoor Junior champion Sam Gamble, and the reigning Welsh indoor 200m champion Donna Poranzinski (Newport Harriers).