Olympics 2012: Usain Bolt Faces Stiff Competition In Yohan Blake, Asafa Powell And Tyson Gay

By Anthony Riccobono | July 26 2012 5:01 PM

In the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt torched opponents in the 100 and 200 meter races, while simultaneously breaking two world records. Bolt, along with fellow Jamaican sprinters Nesta Carter, Michael Frater and Asafa Powell broke the world record for the 4 x 100 meter relay, resulting in another gold medal.

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Usian Bolt is a five-time World and three-time Olympic gold medalist. He holds the world record in the 100 meters, 200 meters, and 4x100 meter relay with his teammate. He is the fastest man in the world and is expected to continue his dominance in London.

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Bolt is planning to successfully defend all three of the 2008 gold medals in this year's London Olympics. However, Bolt faces much more scrutiny in the 2012 Olympics due to leg and back injuries that supposedly hindered his recent training. The current 100 and 200 meter world record holder also faces arguably his toughest competition yet, his own teammate Yohan Blake.

Despite the rumors that Bolt is not 100 percent, the Jamaican track team's doctor, Winston Dawes, confirmed that the talented sprinter is healthy and ready to compete.

"He's back fully," said Dawes. "If the conditions are ideal, then we are going to see something fantastic. We may see records go."

Bolt's teammate Blake made a name for himself after winning the 100 meter sprint at the 2011 World Championships. Interestingly enough, Bolt was disqualified from the same competition because of a false start, which played a major role in Blake winning the race.

Bolt and Blake will run against each other in 100 and 200 meter races, while joining forces in the 4 x 100 meter relay.

Other Jamaican sprinters to keep an eye on are the two veterans Asafa Powell and Michael Frater. Both Powell and Frater took part in the 4 x 100 meter relay in the 2008 Olympics.

The United States poses the biggest threat in challenging the Jamaicans for Gold in the 4 x 100, 100, and 200 meter races. In Beijing, Shawn Crawford earned Silver behind Bolt in the 200 meter race. Walter Dix, another U.S. sprinter, finished third in both the 100 and 200 meter races.

This year Tyson Gay and Justin Gatlin are leading Team USA in the 100 meter race against the Jamaicans. In the 200 meters, the U.S. will send Wallace Spearmon to compete against the world record holder, Bolt.