At last year's Olympics in Beijing, Jamaica's Usain Bolt was the toast, of the Games as he was involved in three record-breaking performances.

His most impressive record came in the 100 metres where, after easing up metres from the finish line, he produced an amazing 9.69 seconds to break his own world record mark of 9.72 set in New York two months earlier.

Many experts thought that Bolt, who became the first man to run a legal sub 9.7 seconds, could have gone sub 9.6 seconds if he had not dropped his arms several metres from the finish line.

All eyes on Bolt

Jamaica will be well represented in Berlin in this event as former 100 metres world record holder Asafa Powell and training partner Michael Frater, who were also in the Beijing 100 metres final, will be hoping to be among the medals. Frater was a silver medallist four years ago in Helsinki while Powell took the bronze in Osaka two years ago.

Undoubtedly, all eyes will be on Bolt, the new king of sprint who has continued from where he left off last season with some very impressive runs in the short sprint. So far this season he has clocked three sub 10 seconds, 9.86 at the National Championships, 9.79 at the Paris Golden League and recently an astonishing 9.91 seconds in a headwind of 1.7 metres per second at Crystal Palace.

Despite his heroics, Bolt will not be going to the meet as the fastest man this year as defending champion Tyson Gay of the United States is the world leader, following his 9.77 at the Rome Golden League meet. Gay, who was injured last year, has been touted in many quarters to be the man to stop Bolt this year. After defeating Powell easily in Rome and Stockholm, Gay with his great top-end speed looks the only one who can challenge the Jamaican. Gay has complained of a groin injury but this may not affect him in Berlin as he clocked a wind-aided 9.79 on Friday at the DN Galan meet.

It is unlikely that even a fit Gay can stop Bolt at the moment as, based on his form so far, he is in a class of his own. Although not the best starter, he is so dangerous from around 40 to 50 metres that anyone who wants to defeat him will have to be leading by more than 10 metres at the halfway mark, and this is unlikely as he gets out of his drive phase very quickly and with his long strides he can get to the line in a flash.

Track and field fans are likely to witness another history-making moment if he runs the entire way in Berlin. While Bolt looks out of class and is a cinch for his first World title, both Powell and Frater should also make the country proud.

No pressure

With Bolt being the 'big' man now, there is no pressure on former world record holder Powell, who has failed to make his mark at a big meet. After looking the best sprinter on show in the semi-finals in Osaka, Powell could only muster a bronze, giving away the silver in the final stages to Bahamas' Derrick Atkins.

Powell has changed his tactics this time around and although local fans are disappointed, the former world record holder could produce his best performance ever at a major championships. Powell ran his best race at the Rome Golden League where he clocked 9.88 seconds to finish behind Gay and although he has been disappointing since, chances are he is waiting for the right moment and if he gets his usual great start, he could surprise and go all the way.

Frater normally runs well at major meets as demonstrated in Helsinki where he finished a close second to Justin Gatlin, and in Beijing last year where he clocked a personal best 9.97 seconds for sixth place, and cannot be counted out of the medals although he only has a season best of 10.02. One thing for sure is that something special will happen in this event in Berlin and chances are we could see at least three athletes going sub 9.7 seconds.