Usain Bolt aims to restore sprinting's battered reputation

LONDON, (AFP) -Usain Bolt will aim to restore sprinting’s battered reputation when the Jamaican star returns to London's Olympic Stadium for the Anniversary Games.

Bolt, scheduled to appear on Friday and Saturday, returns to the arena where he retained his Olympics 100 metres crown, while also claiming gold medals in the 200m and the 4x100m relay.

Having failed to live up to his fastest man on the planet tag so far this year, Bolt will want a quick time at the Anniversary Games, being held in Stratford to mark one year since the London Olympics.

He will also use the latest of the Diamond League meetings to fine-tune his preparations for next month's World Championships in Moscow.

But, just as significantly, the absence of Tyson Gay and Asafa Powell, as they await the potential punishment over their recent drugs controversy, means athletics needs Bolt to deliver a memorable performance for the good of the sport.

Gay, the 30-year-old American who is the fastest man in the world this year, tested positive for a banned substance and immediately withdrew from the World Championships.

Jamaica's Powell, a former 100m world record holder, confirmed that he had tested positive for a banned stimulant at his country's national trials for Moscow, but denies any wrong-doing.

Despite the absence of Gay and Powell, six-time Olympic champion Bolt will come up against two runners who have gone faster than him this year.

Fellow Jamaican Nesta Carter and Britain's James Dasaolu will keep Bolt well and truly on his toes.

Veterans Kim Collins and Dwain Chambers will try and keep pace with Bolt as will young guns Christophe Lemaitre and Rakieem Salaamit.

Bolt, who is also running in the 4x100 relay, has already lost to American veteran Justin Gatlin in Rome this year and is not expected to beat his Berlin 2009 world record of 9.58.