ATHLETICS

THE first warning that we are about to experience a major athletics meeting quite unlike any other in history comes from the greetings committee: ''Into the tailors' please, to be measured.''

The vanguard of the world's leading athletes, gathering here in Qatar for Thursday's Mobil-backed grand prix, the first of its kind to be staged in Arabia, are invited to line up and be meticulously measured for the traditional clothing - the thobe. As we wait - and there is much waiting - there is a polite invitation. It sounds like: Have a glass of Coke, but the liquid is a rich peach colour, nothing like the ubiquitous drink. A tentative taste confirms that it is indeed peach and delicious. ''That's right, KHOKH - peach.''

The athletes have just learned their first word of Arabic, and an unspoken lesson politely conveyed: conformity of custom will be appreciated.

Hence the queue at the tailors. The athletes have all been invited to go camel racing today, as guests of Sheikh Hamad bin Jassam, then to lunch at his palace. The formal clothing, provided at the organisers' expense, is requested to be worn in deference to the host.

Whether Linford Christie will conform or take the hump, as he has been known to when he fears his dignity may be imposed upon, remains to be seen. He and Colin Jackson made it safely out of London before the IRA disruption yesterday and are expected as guests before competing.

Glen Stewart, the former Scottish national 1500m champion, was relishing the prospect of new threads, and inquiring if being appropriately dressed would qualify him to mount up and race. Of more importance to him is the prospect of competing over 3000m in the strongest field he has ever had the chance of running again, and a fall from a camel hardly seems the best preparation.

''I am in the best shape of my life, after two months training in South Africa,'' said Stewart who has already missed the National Cross Country Championships at Perth, and whose absence from Mizuno Racing Club's team for the 12-stage relay championships in Birmingham this weekend will be sorely felt. ''I feel a bit guilty, but the shortage of quality races has always been a problem for me, and I must take this chance.''

Stewart believes the Scottish record of 7min 45.81sec, set by John Robson 13 years ago, is within his capability.

Fifer Ian Mackie, despite being an Olympic semi-finalist, says he was not considered good enough for a place in the 100m, in which Christie runs, but does the 200m in which he was formerly world junior bronze medallist.

The 100m field including the Nigerian twins, Davidson and Osmond Ezinwa, Commonwealth silver medallists both, is strong enough to judge whether the fans really have run out for Christie. Though insisting he has retired internationally, in my book he remains a strong bet to compete in this year's world championships in Athens.