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BOLT EYEING OLYMPIC SPECTACULAR

24th May 2012, 03:14pm

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Usain Bolt: Wants to be in 'great shape'

Usain Bolt: Wants to be in 'great shape'

Usain Bolt has predicted more world records this summer ahead of the opening race of his European season in Ostrava on Friday.

The Jamaican races over 100m at the Golden Spike, meeting where he will be looking to better his time of 9.82 seconds, which is the leading mark in the world so far this year.

And the triple Olympic champion is confident of being in the form to threaten his three-year-old world record of 9.58secs by the time the London Games come around.

"If I'm in great shape nobody will beat me in London, that's for sure," Bolt said.

"If I'm as fit as I want to be then I think I'll be in better shape than I've ever been. I guess if I'm in great shape, with a good start, it should be a world record.

"I don't think it will be this race because I've just started the season and I have a few little things to iron out."

The 25-year-old will be up against countryman Lerone Clarke, American Darvis Patton and 2011 World Championship bronze medallist Kim Collins in the Czech Republic, as well as Dwain Chambers.

The Londoner will chase the Olympic qualifying time of 10.18s after being cleared by a court ruling to compete at the Games, despite his past drugs ban.

The 34-year-old could only manage 10.52 in his first race since the ruling in Puerto Rico earlier this month, but was much improved in his first paid appearance on home soil in six years in a straight 150m race in Manchester last Sunday.

He was dancing on the start line before that run as he revelled in the warm welcome of the crowd, but admitted a repeat on Friday as unlikely.

"I may take that a little more seriously," he said. "But it depends on the atmosphere. It's good to have fun. That's when you get the best out of yourself."

Also in Ostrava, double amputee Oscar Pistorius will look to achieve the 400m 'A' standard for a third time to seal his place at the Olympics.

He will be up against Olympic champion LaShawn Merritt, who leads the world rankings with 44.19.

In the women's race, Christine Ohuruogu takes on one of the favourites for gold in London, Sanya Richards-Ross.

Former world champion Caster Semenya competes over 800m, while American-born British record holder Tiffany Porter competes in the 100m hurdles.

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