Bolt to double up at London event

(BBC) Triple Olympic gold medallist Usain Bolt has confirmed he will run in the 4x100m at the London Grand Prix at Crystal Palace later this month.

The 22-year-old was booked for the 100m but will now race on both days in London on 24/25 July, before the World Championships begin on 15 August.

“We have a strong team and already hold the fastest time this year, and hope to go faster in Crystal Palace,” he said.

“It is an important part of preparation for the World Championships.”

The 100m relay was one of three golds for the all-conquering Bolt at the 2008 Beijing Games.

Coach Glenn Mills has assembled a formidable relay squad, comprised of athletes from the Racers Track Club, all of whom have recorded sub-10 second times.

Bolt has never previously run a relay in the UK, but his team will be sure to threaten the 37.80 seconds set by the United States last year, the fastest 100m relay time on British shores.

He ran the third leg when the Jamaican team won the Olympic relay gold in Beijing in a record 37.10.

This year he captured the fastest non-assisted time of the year when he clocked 9.86 to win the Jamaican national title.

“My performance, where I won the sprint double and ran a world leading time in the 100m, was very pleasing so I hope I can take that form into both events in London,” added Bolt.