BERLIN (Reuters):

SANYA RICHARDS will be thinking about the money rather than trying to prove a point when she sets out to claim at least a share of the US$1 million Golden League jackpot in Berlin today.

The American ran the fastest 400 metres in the world this year, clocking 49.29 seconds when she made it five wins out of five in the Golden League in Brussels on Friday night.

To complete a perfect series she will have to beat British world champion Christine Ohuruogu as well as the silver and bronze medallists from Osaka, Nicola Sanders and Novlene Williams.

Richards was not even competing in the individual 400 in Osaka, having missed out on a place in the American trials, but feels she has nothing to prove at the Olympiastadion.

excited

"I'm really excited," Richards told a news conference after flying in from Brussels. "You do think about the money, it's a huge incentive.

"I'm planning to invest it this year, to plan for the future. I want to get myself on the path to financial success."

Richards also won all her Golden League races last year to scoop US$250,000. This year the prize would be at least doubled.

Russian pole vaulter Yelena Isinbayeva is the only other athlete still in the running for a share in the jackpot.

The Jamaica-born American believes it will be the toughest test of the season yet, even though she has beaten all her rivals handily since Osaka.

"This is by far the best field assembled all year," Richards said.

"Christine proved she's tough and talented by winning in Osaka and Nicole will be exceptionally tough too. I'll have to put together my best race to win the jackpot."