Jamaica's world 100m record holder Usain Bolt poses for pictures after winning a 150m street race in central Manchester earlier this year. - file

In Beijing, Jamaica's men's sprint relay quartet dazzled the world with a record 37.10 seconds.

Now it's Berlin's time. The German capital could witness the world's first sub-37 seconds 4x100 metres.

At last year's Olympic Games the quartet of Nesta Carter, Michael Frater, Usain Bolt and Asafa Powell smashed the United States' 1992 world record of 37.40. Breaking the world record then was no surprise to track and field fans as all four athletes had sub-10 times going into the meet.

With their main rivals, the United States, failing to make the final in Beijing, world 100m record holder Bolt and company had no real competition as they coasted to their record run. So far this season, three Jamaicans - Bolt (9.86), Powell (9.88) and Yohan Blake (9.96) - are under the 10 seconds barrier, with Steve Mullings (10.01) and Frater (10.02) not far off.

Which four?

Carter is missing but this will not affect the Jamaica team as the only concern will be which four to select in the final, as both Mullings and Blake did not finish in the top four at the National Championships. The fourth-place man was Marvin Anderson, who has a best of 10.07 this year. The picture should soon become clearer but any four selected will surely challenge the record.

With Tyson Gay back in top form, Jamaica's men will not have things their own way. Gay (9.77) and Michael Rodgers (9.94) are the only Americans to have gone under 10 seconds legally so far, but this has nothing to do with the outcome of the relay on the big day. On most occasions it is the team with the least number of mistakes that is successful.

With the likes of Rae Edwards (10.02), Darvis Patton (10.02) and Travis Padgett (10.00) to choose from, a battle royal is expected. If both teams are in the final it could come down to the composition of the quartets and the effectiveness of the passes.

The Americans will be confident but it will take a brave man to bet against the Jamaican team. The only concern for technical leader Donald Quarrie and head coach Glen Mills will be who to lead off the team. Anderson, Blake and Mullings will be gunning for that spot as Frater, Bolt and Powell have, by their performances in Beijing, already sewn up those three last legs.

TOMORROW: The women's sprint relay.