field when the World Indoor Track and Field Championships open at the Toronto SkyDome today.

Wellman, ranked fifth in the world after his fine effort at the Olympic Games in Barcelona, will be the fourth seed at worst when the qualifying round starts. The final is scheduled for tomorrow.

World number one Mike Conley, his former coach at the University of Arkansas and Olympic champion, is skipping this event in support of several high-profile athletes' demands that top finishers in Toronto and the forthcoming world outdoors in Stuttgart, Germany, in August be paid prize money.

Wellman was fifth in Barcelona with a Bermuda record leap of 56 feet, six-and-three-quarter inches. He bettered that a few weeks later at the Mobil Grand Prix finals in Italy when he defeated Conley for the first time and jumped 56-71 for his most famous victory.

Wellman, who himself is placing more emphasis on the world outdoors, recently recorded an indoor best of 55-81 and said that he is capable of reaching 58 feet.

Bermuda's other particpant in Toronto is expected to be sprinter Troy Douglas.

The first round of the 400 metres is tonight with the semifinals set for tomorrow and the final on Sunday.

BRIAN WELLMAN -- World indoor contender.