Bolt in world record shape, says coach »

Usain Bolt

Glen Mills, the coach of 100 metres world record holder Usain Bolt, is supremely confident that his charge will perform and land the blue riband event at the Beijing Olympics.

Competition gets under way in the sprint event in the morning session Friday (8:45 Ja time tonight) with Bolt first up in heats, followed by compatriots Asafa Powell and Michael Frater.

"If it takes a world record to win he is up to it," Mills, who is also the head coach of Jamaica's track and field team at the Games, told JamaicaWin.com in an interview yesterday.

Main rival

Former world record holder Asafa Powell, perhaps Bolt's main rival for gold in this event, is drawn in heat two. He will have 2003 World Champion and Kittian Kim Collins for company. Jamaica's third participant in the event, Michael Frater, is scheduled to run in heat four, while American world champion, Tyson Gay, another of Bolt's major opponents, will start in heat five.

Bolt only started running the 100m last year, but Mills said his relative inexperience in the event will not affect his chances.

Ready

"He will not be brushed aside by anybody," said Mills. "He might be the least experienced of the lot but he is mentally and physically ready."

Bolt, who secured the World Record of 9.72 on May 31 in New York, is drawn in heat one of the 100 metres with training partner Daniel Bailey from Antigua, one of his opponents.

Reprinted from web site JamaicaWin.com.

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