London date for Jamaican sprint king Bolt

Jamaican Olympic sprint hero Usain Bolt said Monday he will join a star-studded field at this summer's Aviva London Grand Prix.

"I'm definitely looking forward to running in London at the Aviva London Grand Prix. London is a great meet and the fans there really get behind everyone. I normally base myself there during the summer so it is like a second home," said Bolt, who bagged three sprint golds in world record times at the Beijing Games.

"As usual there will be strong competition but I guess that's what I'll need ahead of the World Championships," said Bolt, who in Beijing became the first man to claim the Olympic sprint treble, all in world record times, when he won the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay. The 22-year-old will run the 100m at the two-day meeting in London on July 24 and 25 as top athletes seek to fine-tune their preparations ahead of the IAAF World Championships in Berlin three weeks later.

"Last year at Crystal Palace, I felt great running the 200m. To win there in such style gave me a lot of pleasure," Bolt explained.

"That helped to build my confidence towards achieving the three gold medals in Beijing a few weeks later.

"This year will be my fifth year in a row competing at Crystal Palace. On all four previous occasions I've run in the 200m so it will be good to go out there and see what I can do in the 100m. I'm sure I'll be able to put a show on for the fans."

LONDON, AFP