Usain Bolt to compete in the Bahamas next month as Rio 2016 build-up gathers pace

World's fastest man will run as part of the Jamaican relay team in buildup to Beijing World Championships

Usain Bolt pulls his trademark pose

Usain Bolt, the world record holder over 100 metres and six-time Olympic gold medallist, will run in the Bahamas next month at the IAAF/BTC World Relays, the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association has announced.

Bolt, who also holds the 200 metres world record, ran only three races last year as Justin Gatlin, the American who was banned for four years in 2007 for a positive drug test, dominated the sprint scene.

The Jamaican ran 46.37 seconds over 400 metres in March, and is set to compete at the relay championship in Nassau on May 2 and 3 as part of the Jamaican team.

"I am fit, healthy and ready to run," Bolt said.

He will hope for a better year than in 2014, when Gatlin dominated the Diamond League, posting times of 9.77 seconds and 19.68 seconds for the 100 and 200 metres respectively.

“We were extremely pleased that Usain was available for selection and that the world’s fastest man will be running for Jamaica. We can expect some sprint magic on the track in the Bahamas on 2nd and 3rd May,” said JAAA General Secretary Garth Gayle.

The IAAF World Championships run from 22 to 30 August in Beijing.