Usain Bolt is the main topic of discussion ahead of the Golden Gala, even though the Jamaican sprinter isn't competing in today's Golden League meet.

Bolt's two key rivals - former world record-holder Asafa Powell and world champion Tyson Gay - will go head-to-head in the 100 metres at the Stadio Olimpico before all three line up at the World Championships in Berlin next month.

"We've been talking about beating Usain since the Olympics," Powell said of Bolt's triple-gold and world record performances in the 100, 200 and sprint relay. "He ran 9.69, so it's going to take faster than 9.69 to beat him."

Bolt recorded an impressive 200-metre performance under the rain in Lausanne, Switzerland, on Tuesday, clocking 19.59 seconds - only one-hundredth of a second slower than what Gay ran in May with fair weather and a breeze at his back.

Good conditions

"I watched the race. It was pretty good considering the conditions - rain, wind in the face, the cold," Gay said yesterday. "He looked pretty good."

Bothered by a hamstring injury, Gay failed to advance out of the 100 semi-finals at last year's Olympics. Gay attributed the Olympic failure to "a lack of race sharpness" and wants to get in some quality sprints before Berlin.

"I'm really looking forward to getting my season going and setting up the world championships," the American said. "I'm 100 percent healthy and give myself a 100 per cent chance of winning (in Berlin)."

Powell is still regaining his form from an early season ankle injury and put his condition at "85 per cent."

Powell is attempting to become only the second man in history to post more than 50 sub-10 second results in the 100. Maurice Greene of the United States tops the all-time list with 53.

"I'm not really focused on that right now," Powell said. "I just want to get back in shape, and if I'm under 10 seconds, great."

Besides Bolt, another notable absence in Rome is Damu Cherry, the American who was still in the hunt for the Golden League jackpot after sweeping the 100 hurdles in Berlin and Oslo.

That leaves five athletes still in contention for the US$1 million (euro720,000) jackpot, awarded to competitors who win their events at all six stops of the Golden League.

Ethiopian standout Kenenisa Bekele won the 5,000 metres in Berlin and Oslo and Tero Pitkamaki took the javelin throw at the first two meets.

Still in the running

Three athletes are still in the running on the women's side: Kerron Stewart of Jamaica in the 100 metres, Sanya Richards of the United States in the 400, and Russia's Yelena Isinbayeva in the pole vault.

While Isinbayeva shouldn't have much trouble keeping her jackpot hopes alive, Richards could face competition from fellow American Allyson Felix in the 400 and Stewart has fellow Jamaican Shelly-Ann Fraser to deal with in the 100.

Besides Fraser and Stewart, who took gold and silver in Beijing, the women's 100 field also includes Kelly-Ann Baptiste of Trinidad and Tobago and Carmelita Jeter of the United States - the fastest four women this year.

"When I was in my room yesterday looking at the list of girls competing, I said here's the World Championships finals," Fraser said. "I think we'll definitely go under 11 seconds. I've never run here before and I think it's going to be magnificent tomorrow."