Bolt launches 2012 season at Kingston

Reigning Olympic double sprint champion Usain Bolt will launch his 2012 season at the University of Technology Classics at the Jamaican National Stadium in Kingston on Saturday. Bolt will run the 4x100 on a powerful Racers team that will face rival MVP with both at full strength. World 100- and 200-meter record-holder Bolt was announced at two meets earlier this season but withdrew for unknown reasons. Glen Mills, Bolt's coach, confirmed to AFP that the sprint star will finally open his run-up to the London Olympics this weekend. "Yes, he will be running. He will only run the 4x100m relay," Mills said. The 4x100m relay has been dubbed the biggest clash so far this season for Jamaica, which hopes for another triumphant Olympic sprint effort against the best of the United States as it enjoyed in Beijing four years ago. Kimmari Roach is expected to lead off to reigning world 100m champion Yohan Blake with Mario Forsythe third and Bolt as anchor for Racers. All except Roach have run under 10 seconds at the distance. Former world 100m record holder Asafa Powell is expected to lead off for MVP and hand to Michael Frater on the backstretch with Nesta Carter on the curve and maybe Britian's Dwain Chambers on anchor. Blake will also run the 100m while Powell will start in the men's 200m. Several other of Jamaica's high profile names will run including Olympic 100m champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Brigitte Foster-Hylton, Kaliese Spencer and Olympic 400m hurdles champion Melanie Walker.