Big three on course for 100m showdown

Also, Tyson Gay ran fast enough to prove a hamstring strain is no longer bothering him and former world record holder Asafa Powell was solid enough to be part of the titans of sprint.

The whiff of a world record will be in the air Saturday when the titans of sprinting line up for their semifinal and final races.

Allaying fears

Running in ideal conditions, Gay allayed fears that a lingering hamstring strain would affect his performance at the Beijing Games, coasting in both his heat and quarter-final to go through.

The Americans could use a confidence boost after their shot putters, instead of sweeping the medals, needed a last effort from Christian Cantwell to salvage one, a silver behind Tomasz Majewski.

The Pole threw one lifetime best after another to win the Games8217; first track gold with a toss of 21.51 metres.

Gay, the world champion in the 100, injured his hamstring at the US trials six weeks ago and had not run competitively since, raising doubts about his fitness.

He finished second behind Richard Thompson of Trinidad and Tobago in his quarter-final in 10.09 seconds, easing up well before the finishing line.

8220;I felt good and relaxed. I just wanted to make it through,8221; Gay said.

Way too easy

No one was as awesome as Bolt, though. At the halfway mark the 21-year old eased up, looked left and right 8212; not once, but twice 8212; and with 9.92 still ran the fastest time ever in China.

8220;I just ran the first 50 metres. Then I looked around to make sure I was safe and I shut it off,8221; Bolt said.

Under the Olympic flame and with 91,000 fans hugging the track, he felt as confident and loose as his canary yellow shirt flapping in the still, humid air. If ever there was a man to beat for the title, it was this sprinter who burst onto the scene seemingly out of nowhere this season.

Going for double

He was known for his 200 credentials and remains a favorite for that race, too. Unlike Gay, Bolt is going for a sprint double and, considering the strength of the Jamaican team, could end with three golds after the 4215;100 relay.

Powell, who had been the world record holder coming into the season, also moved through with consummate ease, clocking 10.02 in the last of the quarter-finals.

To show the potential of Saturday8217;s final, the three together own the eight fastest times in history.

Even if he came through his races OK, Gay faces two more intense 100s in the next 24 hours, increasingly testing the physical resistance of his hamstring.