Athletics: I'M TOO FAST FOR FOOTIE; ATHLETICS SPECIAL Sprinter Francis' trial flop.

Byline: BY DAVID McCARTHY 

FRANCIS OBIKWELU will be one of the biggest attractions at Scotstoun on Sunday but if the big crowd blinks they are likely to miss him.

That's the unfortunate thing about being one of the fastest men in the world - you aren't on the stage for long.

Thank-fully, the Athens Olympics 100 metres silver medallist is running the 200m at the Norwich Union Grand Prix.

So those who turn out will get a little longer to appreciate the grace and power of the Nigerian-born Portuguese sprinter.

The 28-year-old European champion at 100m and 200m is using Glasgow as the first stepping stone on a road that leads to Japan in August for the World Championships.

And he is planning to enjoy every minute of his first trip to the city. Then again, having overcome hard knocks and bad breaks to get so far in the athletics' world, Obikwelu enjoys himself wherever his talents take him.

This is a guy who left his native Nigeria at 14 to try to make it as either a football player or athlete in Portugal and admits his decision to concentrate on sprinting did not leave the soccer world in mourning.

Speaking to Record Sport a this training camp in Spain last night - he heads to Glasgow tomorrow - Obikwelu said: "When I came to Portugal I got the chance to have trials with Benfica and Sporting Lisbon but nothing came of it.

"I was a good player, I thought - a strong defender - and was the quickest on the pitch but they didn't think I was good enough.

"One of my problems was that I used to run faster than the ball. I would leave it behind and that would put my team in trouble. But I still love playing."

As a talented but raw athlete, Obikwelu had to make ends meet so worked on building sites to make enough money to help continue his training.

It was hard graft, he admits, but he wouldn't have swapped the experience of REALLY working for a living.

He said: "I was making cement blocks and working on various sites in the Algarve.

"It was very tough but it was good for me to do this and I am not ashamed in any way.

"I was a young boy trying to make my way in life and not having anything come easily to me has made me appreciate the life I have now."

He applied for and gained Portuguese citizenship in 2001 after competing for Nigeria in the Sydney Olympics a year earlier and sustaining a knee injury.

The Nigerian athletics federation refused to fund his treatment so after paying for it himself he made the decision to run for his adopted homeland.

He said: "I don't regret it. I had to look after myself and I am happy with my decision."

Obikwelu is also more than happy to be in Glasgow this weekend even if he admits he is not fully fit.

He said: "I am not fully ready because I picked up an injury a couple of weeks ago. But it feels fine at the moment.

"I have never run in Glasgow but I am looking forward to the experience because I have been told it is a very knowledgeable audience who appreciate good athletics.

"This year is all about timing everything to make sure I am in peak condition for the World Championships.

"I want to run well in the early part of the season so obviously Glasgow is an important part of the build-up."

Tickets are selling well but remaining briefs can be bought at the stadium from 12 noon on Sunday.