ATHLETICS: Ian O'Riordanbelieves Usain Bolt will produce something special in claiming the 100-metre title today

USAIN BOLT, or what?

For weeks now we've been anticipating the most exciting Olympic 100-metre final of the century, and suddenly it has become a forgone conclusion. Jamaica, who believe it or not have never before won the honour, have undoubtedly found themselves the fastest man on earth.

The only person looking remotely capable of challenging Bolt is the second-fastest man on the planet and fellow Jamaican, Asafa Powell.

In reality, Bolt will have to screw up big time if he's to fail in claiming the 100-metre title in Beijing Bird's Nest later today.

Bolt may well leave lightning marks on the track if he lives up to name, as his 9.92-second run in yesterday's second round was by far the easiest-looking Olympic qualifying run of all time. His world record of 9.72 will surely come under threat.

"I just ran the first 50 metres," admitted Bolt, "looked around to make sure I was safe and then shut it off. Yes, I'm ready. I'm ready to run, do what I have to do."

Powell was the next-fastest qualifier in 10.02, winning the fifth and last second-round heat, but the third big challenger, Tyson Gay of the USA, is clearly still feeling the after-effects of the hamstring strain he sustained at last month's US Olympic trials - taking second in his heat in 10.09, behind the super-cool Trinidadian Richard Thompson.

Gay, saying he felt good and relaxed, added he just wanted to make it through, but he will do well to get through the semi-finals.

He will start the second semi-final in lane nine, with Thompson, Powell, and the impressive-looking Churandy Martina of the Antilles all in the more favourable lanes.

Bolt goes in the first semi-final, in lane seven, and once again his only concern will be with conserving energy.

For the rest of the night, the talk in the press tribunes was whether or not the 21-year-old Bolt would go into 9.6-second territory, and the way he ran last night, there is nothing to suggest he won't.

Gay's chances look forlorn unless he pulls out something sensational this evening, although he still boasts the greater experience.

The race for the bronze medal may well be the closest.

Marc Burns, another Trinidadian, looked excellent in qualifying in 10.05, and Kim Collins, a former world champion, won't be too far off either.

The semi-finals get under way earlier this evening and the final is down for 10.30pm local time (3.30pm Irish time).

For a race set to last less than 10 seconds, there's going to be some extraordinary tension inside the Bird's Nest.

Later yesterday evening, they handed out the first of the 27 gold medals in athletics to Poland's Tomasz Majewski for winning the shot with a put of 21.51 metres, his best ever.