Bolt expects fiery 100m

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil:

Jamaican sprinting star Usain Bolt has hailed fellow Jamaican icon Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and is expecting a fiery women's 100m showdown between herself and another Jamaican, Elaine Thompson.

Bolt, who said he is struggling to pick a winner for the event, pointed to Fraser-Pryce's experience and championships mettle as key tools, but also believes that mental toughness will be the determining factor in who tops the podium when the smoke settles.

The world 100m and 200m record holder also said that he was impressed by Dutch sprinter Dafne Schippers, but believes she is better suited to win the 200m at this point.

"I think Shelly-Ann has put on great performances over the years. She has proven to be one of the greatest female runners ever. She teases me a bit that she will get a chance to get to three gold medals before me and we have a laugh about that, but for me, it's great and to know and see her and to see the hard work. It's an honour," Bolt said.

PUSHING FORWARD

"I always say it's everyone's responsibility to push the sport forward and it's always great to see athletes go out there and push the sport and to show the world we have a great sport," he added.

Fraser-Pryce will become the first woman to win three consecutive individual gold medals in Olympic athletics and equal the record for individual gold medals in track and field at the Olympics.

"We are having a bet and we are trying to pick the top three for the longest while and we haven't been able to come up with it yet," said Bolt. "The guys have really let everyone down this season. We haven't run as fast as we usually do in an Olympic year, but the women are pushing really hard.

"The top three is hard [to pick]. Shelly-Ann (Fraser-Pryce) has been through injuries, she's been through many championships. I think and I know she will be ready. Elaine (Thompson) - this is her second championships, and it's all about the mental game. I think the mental game is going to play a big part in the medals," said Bolt.

"It's all about getting to that line, and most people when you get to that last 30m and everyone is in a line, it's all about who can hold their mental toughness and their form and everything," he offered.

Thompson is the fastest woman in the world this year with 10.70 seconds.