USAIN BOLT has always been lightning fast.

After Saturday night, when he ran the 100 metres in 9.76 seconds, we now know that he is fast, fast, really lightning fast.

Imagine, the man almost broke fellow Jamaican Asafa Powell's 100m world record in only his third competitive race as a senior over the distance.

Shocker

The times recorded in Bolt's two previous 100m outings - 10.03 -had been decent, even moderate in the context of Powell's world record 9.74 and a plethora of sub-10 clockings, thus carrying no suggestion of the Saturday night shocker at the Jamaica International Invitational (JII) meeting at the National Stadium.

Even Bolt and his coach, Glen Mills, expressed shock at the time, as well as former 200m-400m great Michael Johnson, who is emerging as a spokesman for track and field.

The American, who recently stated that Powell would have to 'trip' Gay to win the Beijing 100m, had this to say in an interview on Tuesday with the British Telegraph newspaper after Bolt's 9.76.

"Usain said he was shocked. I'm shocked too. I never would have predicted he could run that fast over 100m," said Johnson.

With the Olympics Games three months away, Bolt has put a new spin on the race for the men's 100m title and many are now pondering whether Powell or American Gay can win the event as another favourite has rocketed into the pack.

Looking at his class, talent, proven ability and form leading into the Games and the schedule itself, I am convinced Bolt should go for the sprint double.

The phenomenal athlete's class at 200m speaks for itself, having pocketed the world junior record of 19.93 at 17 then gone on to set the national record of 19.75 last year, when he also won the silver medal at the World Championships.

The world is aware of his great potential and no less than the sport's governing body, the International Association of Athletic Federations (IAAF), which had bestowed on Bolt two 'Rising Star' awards, and branded him the "future of 200m running."

So, that is clear. He should run that race.

Based on Saturday's 100m run, Bolt should also run the shorter sprint. His biggest rivals would be, of course, Powell and Gay. Powell is injured and will be out of action for six weeks.

Gay won easily and looked good for 20.00 over 200m at the JII. He described Bolt's 100m run as 'awesome' and noted he will be ready when it's time.

Memories of Herb McKenley

That's Beijing, where the 21-year-old Bolt has always been thought of as a 400m consideration, and reasonably so, since he clocked 45.35 for William Knibb at Champs more than six years ago. He has also been a member of medal-winning 4x400m Jamaica teams, running excellent legs to rekindle memories of another great Jamaican, Herb McKenley, as one who excelled in all three sprints.

The Olympic schedule is not very kind for one seeking a 200m-400m double as the heats are run on the same day and close (200m - Monday, August 16, 9:00 a.m.; 400m - 10:05 a.m.), as well as the semis (200m - Tuesday, August 18, 9:25 p.m.; 400m - 9:45 p.m.).

However, it is much kinder to a 100m-200m or 100m-400m sprinter. The 100m heats and quarter-finals will be run on Friday, August 15 and the semi-finals and final are slated for Saturday, August 16.

Remember, the 200m and 400m heats begin the following Monday and the 200m final takes place on Wednesday, August 20 at 10:20 p.m. The 400m final takes place on Thursday, August 21, at 9:20 p.m.

That appears manageable. Actually, quite a decent chance for medals in both events, and, probably even golden ones, for Bolt.