Usain Bolt cruises, fires a warning

Usain Bolt fired out a warning to American arch-rival Tyson Gay by scorching to a world-leading time of 19.73 seconds in the 200m at the Paris Diamond League meet.

Usain Bolt fired out a warning to American arch-rival Tyson Gay by scorching to a world-leading time of 19.73 seconds in the 200m at the Paris Diamond League meet.

The 26-year-old Jamaican, a two-time Olympic and world champion over the distance, held off the attentions of compatriot Warren Weir on Friday to streak past the field in emphatic style.

Edging Gay’s season best by one-hundredth of a second was the perfect broadside in the run-up to what promises to be a keenly contested World Athletics Championships in Moscow between August 10-18.

“All is building up towards a great world championships, you will see a big show there, it will be the climax,” warned Bolt.

“And I want to be ready for that.” In perfect conditions with temperatures of 27 degrees Celsius (81F), Bolt led a host of impressive performances from a stellar line-up on the track and in the field.

Grenada’s Olympic and world 400m champion Kirani James ran a seemingly effortless world leading time of 43.96sec, holding off a late surge from American LaShawn Merritt, the man who previously held both titles.

James, who became Grenada’s first Olympic medallist in London, said it was impossible to nail down one thing as essential for winning gold in Moscow. “Weather, shape, conditions, all that will play a role and there will be seven other guys in the final,” he said.