Borzakovskiy takes the spotlight at the European Athletics Premium Meeting in Zhukovsky. European Athletics (EAA) – NEWS

Olympic 800m Champion Yuriy Borzakovskiy is the star attraction at the European Athletics Premium Meeting in Zhukovsky, Russia this weekend.

The 27-year old, widely regarded as the finest 800m specialist of his generation has raced sparingly so far this season, boasting a seasons best of 1.48.3 in his only outing of the outdoor season but he is determined to make an impact in Zhukovsky, a meeting he values highly.

"All year long, my main aim has been to defend my Olympic title and my racing over the indoor season indicated to me that everything is going according to plan" he said before Sunday's event.

Latvian Dmitrijs Miļkevičs who has the distinction of finishing 4th in the last two World Indoor Championships as well as 4th at the last European Championships in 2006 will provide the sternest test for Borzakovskiy.

Elsewhere, former World Champion Javelin thrower Sergey Makarov is expected to win his speciality event while the Pole Vault looks set for a fascinating dual between 2008 World Indoor Champion Yevgeny Lukyanenko and 2004 World Indoor Champion Igor Pavlov from the host nation.

On the women's side, the much travelled Blanka Vlasic will attempt to increase her unbeaten run to 28 straight victories in the High Jump, Olympic Champion Tatyana Lebodeva will look to do likewise in the Triple Jump and Olympic finalist Ivet Lalova from Bulgaria will be the favourite in the 100m.

European Athletics (EAA)