‘A fast time’ promised

When he arrived amid fanfare and a horde of journalists in Daegu on Saturday, Bolt said his appearance at this World Challenge meeting would provide a nice opportunity to get a feel for the track which will host next year’s IAAF World Championships. Bolt promised to “run hard as always,” and promised “a fast time.”

One hurdle the 100 and 200m World record holder might have to beat is the weather. The forecast for Wednesday in Daegu is heavy rain although temperature looks to be nice at 30 C. Although Bolt has done almost everything in this event, the 23-year-old will enter only the 19th 100m final of his career, having run his first race in this distance in Réthimno, Greece in July 2007, less than three years ago. In 2007 the 10.03 clocking in Greece was his only race and in 2008 he started with a 10.03 result in Spanish Town in March. In 2009 in the same venue he clocked a wind aided  (+2.3 m/s) 9.93 also in March, but this time we might see a faster start.

Ready to answer Powell’s Doha message?

Compatriot Asafa Powell, the former World record holder (four times) already started impressively with a win in the Doha Diamond League. With both race being slightly wind aided Powell clocked 9.75 in the heats, equal second best result during rounds in all conditions and 9.81 in the final.  Powell is of course not competing here, but there is still a need for a statement by Bolt following his strong start to the sprint season.

Bolt has already competed a few times this season in several relays and once in both 200m and 400m. A 45.87 season’s best in the 400m was his first individual race of the season in mid-February, but his 19.56 world leading time in 200m into a headwind in Kingston on 1 May was a clear sign of what might come later.

The Jamaican has some competition in Daegu as well. Three other sub 10-second runners will be starting in the stadium which will host next year’s World Championships.  But it’s really not likely any of these runners can handle Bolt’s speed. 23-year-old American Travis Padgett was third in Doha with a windy 9.92 and another Jamaican, Michael Frater, who was fourth in the Qatari capital in 9.94. 60m World Indoor Championships silver medallist Mike Rodgers of USA will also take part – his career best is 9.94 from last season.