Blake (pictured above, left) won the Cayman Invitational in 9.84 sec, just four days after his training partner Bolt ran it in 9.82 at the Jamaica Invitational meeting in Kingston.

"I'm very pleased with my time," said Blake, who produced his own flourish in Kingston by winning the 200m in 19.91, the fastest recorded so far this season.

"In fact, it has put me ahead in my preparations for London.

"I'm looking forward to my next race."

Blake's next outing will be in New York on June 9 with Bolt heading for Rome at the end of May.

The rivals, both coached by Glen Mills, are set to go head to head in the Jamaican Olympic trials in late June and are expected to start as favourites in London.

Blake took over Bolt's world title in Daegu last year after the world record holder was disqualified for a false start.

Asafa Powell, Jamaica's former world 100m record holder, remained phlegmatic about the swift start his team mates have made to their season.


"Those are the times they are running now, but in the future, who knows?" said Powell, in Doha on the eve of his first race of the season in the Samsung Diamond League meeting.

"You will have to wait and see.

"I can't predict the future.

"I can only speak for myself, and when I run tomorrow I'll see where I'm at."

Powell did not accept that this year would offer him his last chance of winning Olympic gold.

"No, I wouldn't say this is my last shot," he responded.

"I'm approaching it as if it is the last one, I'm going all out, but I am only 29.

"I think I have a few more years in me."

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