The Usain Bolt show is in Paris today with the triple Olympic gold medallist looking to run a fast time for the thousands of French track and field fans who will flock to the Stade de France for the Areva Golden League meet.

World 100 and 200m record holder Bolt promised on Wednesday that if the conditions are right the 9.69 seconds world 100m record could be lowered.

"I definitely think the world record can go at any time," Bolt said on Wednesday.

Bolt's opponents in the race include his compatriot Yohan Blake, who ran a personal best 9.96 seconds last weekend, Beijing silver medallist Richard Thompson of Trinidad and Tobago, Antigua and Barbuda's Daniel Bailey and Churandy Martina of the Nether-lands Antilles, the man who was disqualified after placing second in the 200m final in Beijing.

Chasing jackpot

Stewart

The meet will also feature the four athletes who are chasing the US$1m Golden League jackpot.

Jamaican-born American Sanya Richards believes she and the three other athletes will all collect their share of the prize at the end of the season.

Richards, a 400-metre runner, will compete today along with Ethiopian long-distance runner Kenenisa Bekele, Russian pole vaulter Yelena Isinbayeva and Jamaican sprinter Kerron Stewart.

"The four that are left, I think we can all go through and win all six (Golden League) events," Richards said yesterday. "Kerron looks really great. She's run 10.7. She's been the most consistent in the women's 100. Yelena is unbeatable, it seems. And Kenenisa Bekele is also doing great. I think the four of us may make it all the way through."

Last week in Rome, Richards ran under 50 seconds to tie Marita Koch's record for most times below that mark.

Perfect atmosphere

"If I go under 50, this will be my 37th time going under 50 seconds and I will break Marita Koch's record," Richards said. "So if I go 49.99, I'll be happy.

"I do really well in the Golden League meets," Richards added. "In all the stadiums, there's always really great support. It's just the perfect atmosphere to give your best. So I always go and try to run really well. Hopefully, I can have that success carry over into major championships."

Like most athletes, Richards is preparing for next month's world championships in Berlin. She finished third at the Beijing Olympics and won the silver medal at the 2005 Worlds.

Meet schedule

(Ja times)

1:00 p.m.: Women's High Jump (GL)

1:05 p.m.: Men's 400m (GL)

1:15 p.m.: Women's 400m Hurdles

1:15 p.m.: Men's Triple Jump

1:20 p.m.: Men's Javelin Throw (GL)

1:25 p.m.: Men's 800m

1:35 p.m.: Women's 400m (GL)

1: 45 p.m.: Men's 110m Hurdles (GL)

1:55 p.m.: Women's 100m Hurdles (GL)

2:05 p.m.: Men's 3000m (GL)

2:20 p.m.: Women's 100m (GL)

2:30 p.m.: Women's 800m

2:40 p.m.: Men's 100m (GL)

2:47 p.m: Men's 3000m Steeplechase

AP

Olympic triple champion Usain Bolt reacts during a press conference in Paris on Wednesday.