Bolt on Gay's 19.58

KINGSTON, June 2, 2009 (AFP) - Jamaica’s double sprint world record-holder said the 19.58sec 200m produced by a re-energized Tyson Gay last weekend makes for an ``interesting’’ World Championship season.

``It’s going to be an interesting season and Tyson kicked it off well,’’ said Usain Bolt after America’s Gay notched the third-fastest 200m of all time.

Only Bolt’s world record of 19.30 to claim Beijing Olympic gold and Michael Johnson’s 19.32 run in 1996 are faster.

``I am looking forward to going out there and doing my best as always,’’ added Bolt, who said a clash with Gay before the World Championships in Berlin in August would suit him fine.

I definitely would want to meet Tyson before World Champs (August 15-23) to see where I am at,'' he said. I am looking forward to that showdown.’’

Bolt admitted that he expected things to be harder this year than in 2008, when he broke both his own 100m world record and the 200m world record in winning gold at the Beijing Games.

``It’s always going to be harder, because you start the season from square one. I may not be in 19.3 shape, so I have to go out there and run again to try do my best to get back into that shape,’’ explained Bolt.

I have a lot of work to do and I am still working hard,'' he said. It’s going to be a battle with Tyson Gay, because he is not a person to give up.’’

Bolt said Gay’s performance at the Reebok Grand Prix in New York, didn’t surprise him.

``I am not surprised because Tyson Gay is a very determined competitor … he showed that he is one of the best athletes in the world, so I am not shocked in any way,’’ he said.