Usain Bolt, the world's fastest man, is set to open his 2009 season at today's Camperdown Track and Field Classic, to be held at the National Stadium East Complex.

Bolt, however, will open with the 400m and according to the sprint star, today's race is to assess his fitness level.

"I am just going there to run and feel where I am in my programme; it's not about achieving anything special," said Bolt.

"It will tell what shape I am in and what I really need to do to get into the shape I want to be in," he added.

outstanding performances

Bolt set world records in winning the 100m gold in 9.69 seconds and the 200m title in 19.30, and then helped Jamaica to win 4x100m relay gold at last summer's Olympic Games in Beijing, China.

Apart from Bolt, The Gleaner Man of the Year, his Racers Club teammates Ricardo Chambers and Daniel Bailey of Antigua, who are also Olympians, Sonita Sutherland and national 100m junior record holder Yohan Blake, are down for their season-opener.

A special invitational 4x200m relay for girls - with prize money of $40,000 to be split among the top three schools - will be introduced at the meet this year.

More than 2,000 high-school athletes from across the island are expected to take part in the meet, which will see the organising committee honouring former Jamaica and Camperdown footballer Barrington 'Cobra' Gaynor, who was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis disease last year.

In addition to the 4x200m, the 100m, 800m, 4x100m, 1500m, 4x400m, along with the high, long and triple jumps, are other events.