Defiant Gay throws down the gauntlet

"If that's what it takes to win, that's what I am going to try to do," the double sprint world champion told a news conference.

"If he goes 9.6, I'm going to try to go 9.6," Gay said when asked about Bolt's Beijing World record of 9.69 seconds falling during the August 15-23 Championships in Berlin. The world record, that's what I have in mind."

Pronouncing himself fit despite a nagging groin injury, the American said Sunday's 100 metres final may just prove who is the greatest sprinter of all-time. "I believe so," said Gay.

"Maybe that's a little much, but at the same time, he (Bolt) has already showed the world what he can do, and he can do a lot more.

"For me, I have not be able to show all of my talent yet, but I have a lot left in the tank."

Bolt's stunning Beijing Olympics in which he broke world records in the 100, 200 and 4x100 metres relay may have grabbed the headlines, but they never caused Gay to question his ability to compete with the Jamaican.

"There was no doubt in mind I could compete with this guy," said Gay, the reigning world champion at 100 and 200M.