Usain Bolt v Tyson Gay

It is shaping up to be the race of the summer, if not one of the all-time great races, and with just a month to go until the men’s 100 and 200 metres finals at the world athletics championships in Berlin, Tyson Gay and Usain Bolt are laying down their markers.

In the case of Bolt it was late on Friday night in Paris where, in the cold and the rain and in to the teeth of a headwind, the double Olympic and world record-holding sprint champion recorded a time of 9.79 seconds in the 100 metres, despite a horrendous slow start and a later admission that with the world championships so close he is running gently. “I’m at 85% at most,” the Jamaican admitted at the Stade de France.

It means that Gay has still recorded the fastest 100 metres time so far this season, 9.77 seconds earlier this month, as well as the fastest 200 metres time of 19.58 seconds in May, both personal bests.

These times may well be some way of Bolt’s staggering records set in Beijing last August of 9.69 and 19.30 seconds, but the American who won the 100, 200 and 4 x 400 metres relay gold medals at the 2007 World Championships in Osaka is confident that he is back to his best in time to defend his world titles after injury ruined his chances at the Olympics.

“I figured as long as I stayed healthy I’d put up some great times,” said the 26-year-old. It took time to get over the Olympics but I feel pretty confident now and it’s all about sticking to my goals which is to win in Berlin.”

There is one problem, however, and it comes in the shape of a 6ft 5in Jamaican who Gay is more than happy to praise having sat in the Birds’ Nest Stadium to watch history unfold.

“What Usain did was phenomenal,” he admitted. “I didn’t recognise what he’d done in the 100 metres until I saw the replay. That was so exciting. This guy deserves respect because what he does on a track others can’t do. I see him as the favourite and me having to prove myself again. Usain is fearless. He’s a beast, a freak and his mind-set says he’s looking at 9.5 seconds for the 100 metres. Forget about the current world record. That’s the kind of time we’re looking at.

“I believe the world records may go in both the 100 and 200 metres in Berlin and I have to train my mind and body to take me to a place no man has been before. I’m pretty sure Usain’s looking to set new world records, so it may take new records to beat the man.”

Whatever happens Gay believes the key to success will centre on the 100 metres, which comes first at the world championships. “It will set the tone,” he explained. “If he beats me then mentally I’d have to overcome it but it could be a psychological blow before the 200 metres.”

Both will be competing at the Aviva London Grand Prix at Crystal Palace next Friday and Saturday, but not against each other. Bolt will appear in the 100 metres and sprint relay, while Gay will race in the 200 metres, but they are sure to have a keen interest in each other’s performances. “Through the corner of my eye I’ll be watching Usain, for sure,” Gay added.

Bolt, meanwhile, is not losing too much sleep over the threat from Gay. “My coach and I don’t talk about Tyson Gay,” he explained. “I don’t fear any athlete. I want to show everyone that Beijing was not a one-off. I may be the triple Olympic champion, and I may have those two world records, but I don’t have any world titles so winning gold in Berlin is very important to me.”

The Aviva London Grand Prix is at Crystal Palace on July 24 & 25. Tickets available at www.uka.org.uk or phone 08000 556056