THE mind games have begun before the big showdown.

In less than 10 seconds past 10.30pm tomorrow, we will know who is the fastest man on earth when the 100-metre sprint takes place at the Bird's Nest Stadium in Beijing.

Who will it be?

It appears to be a three-way battle between the Jamaican duo of Usain Bolt, Asafa Powell and the US' Tyson Gay.

Bolt, the world record-holder, is the hot favourite after setting a new world record of 9.72 sec in June.

The 21-year-old speed merchant is aiming to become the first Jamaican to win an Olympic gold medal in the 100m.

Standing in the way of the Jamaicans is reigning world champion Gay.

So far, the 26-year-old American has kept a relatively low profile after sustaining a hamstring injury in the 200m heats during the US trials last month.

He was content to let Bolt hog the limelight.

Not for long.

Gay turned up the ante yesterday when he questioned the mental toughness of Bolt in the pressure-cooker environment.

'I don't know how Bolt is taking the pressure,' said Gay.

'But I would assume it is big. People in his country expect him to win the gold medal. Their country wants them (Bolt and Powell) to go 1-2.

'They have wanted Asafa to bring home the Olympic gold for a long while.

'I bumped into a Jamaican athlete in the canteen that day and he said, 'I hope you don't break up our sweep'.'

Gay will be out to prove that Jamaican athlete wrong when he lines up on Lane 2 in his 100m heat this morning.

The American is raring to go after recovering from his hamstring injury.

He said: 'I have fully recovered from my hamstring injury... I have had no aches, no twitching.

CONFIDENT

'I have been staying hydrated. I am totally confident it will hold up.

'I went to Germany to see Dr Muller. He treats many football stars and other great athletes. He has a lot of experience with hamstrings.'

The 100m race has traditionally been one of the most-watched events at the Olympics.

But public confidence in the blue-riband event has hit rock-bottom after drug cheats Justin Gatlin and Marion Jones were exposed.

Gay said: 'I hope it will be a clean race.

'At least I know I am. A lot of people know what I am doing in the US, with my drug testing, to show my love for the sport.

'Olympic champions have to prove that they are clean and be tested clean.'

It has been a week since Gay arrived in Beijing. So far, he's enjoying every bit of his Olympic experience.

He skipped the US track team's training camp in Dalian to attend the opening ceremony last Friday.

Gay said: 'My birthday is 9 Aug and the Olympic torch was lit at about 12.01. It was an experience that I will never forget.

'I also met Kobe Bryant in the Athletes' Village and he asked me how my leg was doing. To me, that is crazy.

'I texted my mum straightaway to tell her that Kobe Bryant had asked me about my leg and she thought that was crazy, too.'

Winning the gold medal would be a dream come true for Gay, who grew up idolising Maurice Greene and Michael Johnson.

He said: 'History means a lot to me.

I came into the USA training scheme when Maurice Greene and Michael Johnson were racing, which was not that long ago.

'Watching them at the Olympic Games has definitely inspired me.'

He may be a big fan of Johnson, but the American, the only man to win the 200m and 400m in the same Olympics, has put his money on Bolt to win the gold medal.

Not that it matters to the straight-talking Gay.

He said: 'Normally, the guy with the fastest time in the world or the world record-holder, could be the favourite.

'I don't mind if people say I'm the favourite.

'Anybody can be the favourite right now. It's all about handling the pressure.'