Crocker stands in Phelps's way

Ian Crocker is prepared to become public-enemy number one in the United States and stop Michael Phelps's bid for a record eight golds in Beijing if it means he realises his own dreams of Olympic glory.

Phelps is well on the way to making yet more sporting history, having won six golds already, all in world record times, and so become the dominant figure at these Games, in and out of the Water Cube.

But Saturday sees him racing in the final of the 100 metres butterfly, an event where compatriot Crocker is the world record-holder.

That makes him the man most likely to deny Phelps, whose 12 career Olympic golds are unsurpassed by any other athlete, the chance of equalling the record of seven golds at a single Games set 36 years ago by another US swimming star, Mark Spitz, in Munich.

Crocker though insisted he wasn't the only dangerman, saying Serbia's Milorad Cavic could ruin the script.

"People point at me, but Cavic is looking good and it'll be a tight race," Crocker said.

Athletics, the spiritual heart of any Olympics, may have only got underway on Friday but Saturday sees what many still consider the centrepiece of the Games - the final of the men's 100m.

With the Jamaican duo of Usain Bolt and Asafa Powell, as well as US speedster Tyson Gay vying for gold, the final has the potential to be a classic assuming the trio get through their semis.

But fans and officials will be hoping desperately the acclaim lavished on the winner doesn't subsequently turn into disillusionment at the news of yet another failed dope test, as has been the case with so many sprint champions in the recent past.

World record-holder Bolt was the pick of the field on Friday, posting a time of 9.92 seconds in his second round heat despite visibly slowing down as he neared the line.

Former world record-holder Powell of Jamaica won his heat in a slower time of 10.02secs while world champion Gay only finished second in his heat.

"I just ran the first 50 metres and then I looked round to make sure I was safe and I shut it off," said Bolt. "Yes, I'm ready for my best," he added.

Saturday also sees the conclusion of the heptathlon, with Hyleas Fountain of the United States the overnight leader.

China, still top of the medals table, will look for more badminton success after women's doubles duo Du Jing and Yu Yang won Friday the first of what could be a clean-sweep of five golds for the hosts.

Britain's Chris Hoy, having anchored the team to victory in Friday's team sprint at the Laoshan Velodrome in the keirin while team-mate Bradley Wiggins is the outstanding favourite for the individual pursuit.

Meanwhile Swiss star Roger Federer will claim his first Olympic medal when he teams-up with Stanislas Wawrinka in men's doubles tennis final where they face Sweden's Simon Aspelin and Thomas Johansson.