Olympics 2012 preview: Who will be the fastest man in the world?

American sprinter Florence Griffith-Joyner holds the women's world record of 10.49 seconds.

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With the London Olympics just a few days away, we take a look at the top male contenders in the 100-metre dash.

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Usain Bolt

The reigning Olympic champion and the current men's world record holder (9.58s) from Jamaica is still considered favourite to win the 100 metres u00a0event at London. Bolt has won gold medals in the 100 metres, the 200 metres and the 4×100 metres relay at Beijing Summer Olympics in 2008.

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Yohan Blake

This Jamaican athlete is the current world champion in the 100 metres event with a personal best of 9.75 seconds. Following the disqualification of u00a0compatriot Usain Bolt, Blake won the Gold medal in the 2011 World Championships with a time of 9.92 seconds. In 2012 Blake has beaten Usain Bolt in both 100m and 200 m events.

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Tyson Gay

With a personal best of 9.69 seconds, the second fastest ever after Bolt's 9.58s, American sprinter Gay is a strong contender for the 100 metres u00a0title at London. He is one of the only three sprinters who have defeated Usain Bolt over 100 m, the other two being Jamaica's Yohan Blake and Asafa u00a0Powell.

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Justin Gatlin

This talented sprinter from The United States won the gold medal in the 100 m at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens. However, Gatlin had to serve a u00a0four-year ban from track and field for testing positive for a banned substance in 2006. He made his return in 2010 and won several international u00a0events, including the 60-meter dash in the 2012 IAAF World Indoor Championships. His personal best in 100 metres is 9.80 seconds.

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Asafa Powell

This sprinter from Jamaica has clocked a personal best of 9.72 seconds, which is the fifth fastest time in the history of 100m event. Powell has broken the ten-second barrier legally more times than anyone else.

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