Usain Bolt - File

While his two main rivals were tearing up tracks half-way across the globe, track and field's 'it' man Usain Bolt was just about getting out of bed.

Tyson Gay, the fastest American in history with a personal best of 9.69 seconds and Bolt's main rival in the 100 metres, was busy in Manchester, England where he was trying to better the Jamaican's record over 150m. Gay, who has publicly targeted Bolt's 9.58 100m world record this season, fell short of the 150m mark, registering 14.51 seconds - 0.16 slower than the mark set by Bolt at the same event in 2009.

Earlier, Jamaican and former 100m world record holder Asafa Powell was busy laying his mark in the 100m at the Shanghai Diamond League meet; winning his event in 9.95 seconds, the second fastest time so far this year.

Bolt, who set world records in the 100m and 200m at the 2008 Beijing Olympics as well as the IAAF World Championships in Athletics a year later, was just about waking up when Powell was streaking to his season-opening 100m victory.

No worries for the 24 year-old, who says he is expecting everybody to be at their best this year with the IAAF World Championships of Athletics, Daegu just a few months around the corner.

"I wokeup just in timeto see Asafa's race," said Bolt, during a chat with STAR Sports. "It's a World Championships year so all the athletes will come out gunning, but of course, it's still the early part of the season."

Bolt himself will get his campaign rolling on May 26 at the Golden Gala meet in Rome, where he is set to face Powell in his first serious 100m since his loss to Gay at the Stockholm Diamond League last year August.

However, the Olympic and World 100m and 200m champion is not too concerned about what happens on the circuit this season, with his sights set squarely on this year's big show - the IAAF World Championships in Athletics, Daegu.

"My main aim is of course theWorld Championships, it doesn't matter too much what happens leading up to that, the focus is to get the gold medal there," said Bolt.

World records? Not a big deal for the 24 year-old this year either.

"People will always look for world records when I run but I don't necessarily go out there and look for records, my aim is always to win and if I am able to do so I am ok with it," Bolt underlined.

In fact, the athlete made it clear that despite this being a World Championships year, his main focus is certainly on the grandest stage of all - next year's Olympic Games in London, England.

"I'm going to defend my titles (at the World Championships) but for me Olympics is the biggest event and that's where all things should be done in greatness, so I'm just trying to get through this season, defend my titles and hope for the best next year," Bolt noted.


Usain Bolt - File