KARACHI: The countdown towards what is being hyped as the fastest race in history begins on Friday as the Olympic athletics gets under way with all eyes on the prospect of a thrilling 100m shootout.
Jamaica's near-total domination of the sprints four years ago in Beijing is likely to be replicated in London.
Usain Bolt lit up the 2008 Games, breaking world records in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay.
With a hamstring injury having hampered his London Games preparation, it seems unlikely he will threaten the marks he lowered still further at the 2009 world championships - 9.58 seconds in the 100m and 19.26 in the 200m.
His primary aim will be seeing off the looming challenge of training partner Yohan Blake.
While the world waits to see if Bolt will win successive Olympic sprint gold medals, the man who could take his title as the fastest man in the world is ignoring the hype.
Blake is at pains to worry for his own race and not get caught up in the seemingly unavoidable specter of racing Bolt.
“I am not focusing on Usain Bolt, I am focusing on my race and getting the job done, if you are focused on Usain and the other guys you may not get the job done,” he said.
For the first time since the advent of electronic timing, the field for the blue riband event of the Games will comprise the four fastest men in history, Champion Usain Bolt, Yohan Blake, Asafa Powell and Tyson Gay.
Gay is more concerned with more serious pursuits, such as trying to keep up with Olympic Champion Bolt and world Champion Blake on the track. The Jamaican duo will have Gay's undivided attention when the 100-meter heats begin Saturday.
“I know what those guys bring to the table,” Gay said. “But they know what I bring to the table.”
Jamaica also swept the women's sprints in Beijing and will be looking to repeat the feat in London although the Americans look much stronger this time around.
The Olympic track and field begins on Friday.
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