Bolt gunning for sub-10 run in Czech Republic

The last time Usain Bolt ran a sub-10-second time before June was back in 2012 ­ an Olympic year.

Bolt, who will compete in the 100m at today’s Golden Spike meeting in Ostrava, will be looking to hit high gear with the Olympics now firmly in his cross hairs and has been speaking a strong game, telling reporters that he feels in 9.8-second shape.

In his only 100m race this season, the six-time Olympic gold medallist ran 10.05 seconds for his win at the Cayman Invitational on Saturday and was soon afterwards receiving what has been described as mild treatment for a hamstring niggle in Germany.

enough motivation
He will face a less-than-intimidating line-up that includes Barbadian Ramon Gittens, Kittitian Jason Rogers, Wilfried Koffi (Côte d'Ivoire) ­ hardly household names ­ with decathlete Ashton Eaton also lined up for some speed work.

Youngsters Jaheel Hyde and Javon Francis as well as Kaliese Spencer and Christine Day are also scheduled to compete. Spencer, who is coming off a win in her last time on the track, will be looking to improve on her season best 55.02 mark, and she will certainly have enough motivation with reigning world champion Zuzana Hejnova, who will be making her first appearance in this event; Denisa Rosolova; and Meghan Beesley.

Day had her best season in her professional career last year, but will be disappointed in her 51.91 fourth-placed finish at the Jamaica International Invitational in the women’s 400m. The World Championships finalist should get her biggest challenge from two-time World Championships relay gold medallist Jessica Beard (USA).

Hyde will face experienced South African LJ van Zyl and American Johnny Dutch in the men’s 400m hurdles, with Francis lining up against Tony McQuay, Jeremy Wariner, and Pavel Maslak in the men’s 400m.