Great Britain sprinter Dwain Chambers believes Usain Bolt can be beaten over the 100 metres at the IAAF World Athletics Championships, which start this week.
Bolt holds the world record at 9.58 seconds, but has been way off his regular form this season.
The Jamaican has a seasonal best of 9.88 secs – much faster then Chambers’ 10.01, but the British star thinks Bolt, based on his current form, has given his rivals some encouragement that they can finally beat him at a major championships.
“Usain has shown this season that he is a human being,” Chambers, who finished distance behind Bolt when they last met at the world champs in Berlin in 2009.
“But this guy has been dominant in ways that were unmanageable to us as athletes. The fact he has not been on top form does not put any doubts in my mind.
“He’s still the number one contender. He’s run 9.58 and 9.69 (in the 2008 Olympic final in Beijing). I wouldn’t put anything past him.
“But he’s going to have tough competition from (fellow Jamaican) Yohan Blake, Asafa Powell and (European champion) Christophe Lemaitre and I’m not going to discount myself and (fellow Britons) Marlon (Devonish) and Harry (Aikines-Aryeetey).
“You never know what can happen in the final. Every man has his day. We have to do our best when we are in that final.
“I may have to go beyond my best to get into the final, but if I can run sub-10 seconds and do that then I will be very happy.”
Powell leads the world with a 9.78 seconds, while the other sprinter above Bolt is Trinidad and Tobago’s Richard Thompson, at 9.85.
American Tyson Gay (9.79), Jamaican Steve Mullings (9.80) and Mike Rodgers of USA (9.85) are also above Bolt on the performance list this season, but will not compete in Daegu.
Gay is out injured, while Mullings and Rogers both failed drug tests.
yes he can be beaten but by whom? i give blake the best chance to upset, you never know what you will get from asafa, he says he is the fastest in the world this year but that is not saying much because bolt has beaten him this year, thompson doesnt have a prayer.i am impressed by that french dude , christophe lemaitre, he could be in the mix 3rd or 4th.