Bolt against the clock

• World record holder takes aim at Powell's year-leading 9.78

Andre Lowe, Senior Staff Reporter

It will be Usain Bolt against the clock. Or at least that's how the big Jamaican's outing at today's Samsung IAAF Diamond League curtain-closer in Brussels is being advertised, with the double world record holder looking to better countryman Asafa Powell's 9.78 seconds 100 metres world-leading mark.

Bolt is one of several star names booked for Belgium, with fellow World champion compatriots Veronica Campbell-Brown (women's 100m) and Yohan Blake (men's 200m) also expected to face the starter.

Novlene Williams-Mills, Brigitte Foster-Hylton, Nesta Carter, Davita Prendergast, Nickel Ashmeade, Isa Phillips, Lerone Clarke, Mario Forsythe, Ainsley Waugh and Allodin Fothergill complete the list of Jamaicans who will be on show at this year's Van Damme Memorial meet.

It's Bolt's fourth time at the meet and he made his intentions quite clear while addressing journalists in Belgium.

"I'm really looking forward to this. I really want this world year's best and I feel good," Bolt said. "I think I have it in me to run the fastest time of the year. The track in Brussels is simply excellent.

"Mentally, I am not tired yet. Had everything gone well at Worlds, maybe I would have been more relaxed, but right now I want to dig in deep one more time. I do hope I can conclude the season in a beautiful manner so that I can start next season with a good feeling," added the triple Olympic gold medallist, who posted his fastest time this year with a 9.85 clocking in Zagreb on Tuesday.

Despite the focus being placed on Bolt, he will have company in fellow Jamaicans Carter and Commonwealth Games champion Clarke.

Campbell-Brown, fresh from her first 200m triumph at the World Championships, will renew her 100m rivalry with World champion Carmelita Jeter, who beat her into second place in Daegu. Bronze medallist Kelly-Ann Baptiste, Debbie Ferguson-McKenzie and Shalonda Solomon will also line up in the hotly anticipated clash.

Those anticipating a Bolt-Blake clash will have to wait until next year, as the 100m world champion has been entered in the 200m, where he will be tested by World Championships silver medallist Walter Dix and countrymen Ashmeade, Waugh and Forsythe.

Williams-Mills and Prendergast will look to pull a surprise on World champion Amantle Montsho, with Russian Antonina Krivoshapka also expected to dominate.

Brigitte Foster-Hylton will be aiming to continue her rejuvenation when she lines up in the 100m hurdles. However, it's looking like a tough afternoon for the 36-year-old, with the likes of World champion Sally Pearson, Kelly Wells, Danielle Carruthers and Phylicia George all facing the starter.

Phillips will face World champion David Greene, Javier Culson and Jehue Gordon in the men's 400m hurdles.