CATCH ME IF YOU CAN; WORLD ATHLETICS CHAMPS, FROM BERLIN.

Byline: ALEX SPINK

USAIN BOLT insists he is prepared for whatever sprint rival Tyson Gay throws at him when they race for World Championship gold tomorrow.

Defending champ Gay (right) has warned Olympic king Bolt that he is out to break his 100m world record and replace him as the greatest sprinter of all-time.

But Bolt countered: "I'm ready for anything that comes my way. I'm aware of what I did in Beijing. I have set a standard for myself that I have to live up to.

"I am not invincible, I am not unbeatable. Other people will have a good day when I don't. But until then I'll keep winning. I'm confident in my ability."

Coming his way, starting in the qualifying rounds today, is a man six inches shorter than him and five years older - but the quickest on the planet this year.

Gay was absent from Beijing when 'Lightning' struck gold three times - each in world record times - 12 months ago. They haven't met since.

But a year to the day since Bolt clocked 9.69secs slowing down to smash the 100m mark, the pair will stop the world when they go head-to-head in tomorrow's final.

It has the potential to be the greatest sprint duel of all time, with Gay saying: "I believe 9.6secs is obtainable - that is my goal."

Even that may not be good enough if Bolt - who will run in shocking orange coloured gold-platespikes - gets it right. "No one really knows how fast Usain can go," said former champion Maurice Greene. "I don't think he's run a complete race in the 100m yet. He has not reached his top end speed."

If that is a frightening prospect for Gay, who requires four more strides than the Jamaican to cover the distance, he is not letting on.

"Usain has shown the world what he can do, I have not had that chance yet," said the American. "I have a lot left in the tank and I am going after what he has.

"I see no difference between now and 2007, the only real thing is that Usain Bolt is in Asafa Powell's shoes as the man to beat."

The heats and quarter-finals take place today, when Britain's Olympic champion Christine Ohuruogu also begins the defence of her World 400m title.

Ohuruogu has been running two seconds slower than archrival Sanya Richards this season but has never lost a major final.

"I find it comical people like to say that I'm not in form," she said. "I have never really gone into a championship super fast. I am fit, healthy and happy and when I have those three I am good to go."

MEN'S 100M: 1/12 Usain Bolt, 6/1 Tyson Gay, 25/1 Asafa Powell, 33/1 Daniel Bailey/Darvis Patton

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LIGHTNING BOLT Usain Bolt is Olympic champion and world record holder