Bolt promises "something special" in Paris meeting

PARIS (Reuters) - Usain Bolt promised on Wednesday to offer "something special" to the crowd of the Stade de France on Friday during the Paris stage of the Golden League.

"I'm here to compete and do my best. If the weather is good like today which is wonderful it should be something special," the triple Olympic gold medalist told a press conference.

Asked it that "something special" could be to beat his own world record of 9.69 seconds in the 100 meters, he answered:

"I don't want to talk about a time but I can run fast all the time. I think I'm in good shape. Sometimes it works on the track sometimes it doesn't. It depends on the feeling and the track, you never know."

Bolt will run of Friday without his two main rivals American Tyson Gay, who set the fastest time this year in 9.77 seconds last Friday, and fellow Jamaican Asafa Powell but stated that it could be an asset.

"You really run better when there is less competition. It's much easier when your mind is free, he said.

"Anyway, I don't fear any athletes no matter what time they are running. I'm always confident in myself because I know I train hard, I'm in good shape and I run fast," he added.

The 22-year-old Jamaican, who also set world records in winning the 200 meters and 4x100 meters relay at the Beijing Olympics, said the Paris meeting was an important stage in his preparation for the Berlin World championships in August.

"After Paris, I shall only run one more 100 meters in London and then it will be hard work because the World championships are very important," he said.

"I got silver last time and I'm working to get the gold this year. If I follow up a great year by winning the World championships I'll show the people that Beijing was not a one time thing," he added.

Bolt, who likes to entertain the crowds with cheeky antics, said he was so confident that he was working on a new dance to celebrate his victories.

"I'm saving it for Berlin but if I do well on Friday I may give you a preview," he said.

"I think the fans enjoy me giving them a good time before the race and after the race. It also keeps me relaxed at the start of the race and after the race it's just fun."

(Reporting by Jean-Paul Couret, editing by Nigel Hunt)

(For the new Reuters sports blog Left Field go to: blogs.reuters.com/sports)