For sometime now, Usain Bolt has been fighting to step out of the shadows of fellow countryman Asafa Powell, and now that he is the world's fastest man, the 21-year-old Jamaican says it's finally his time to shine.
Bolt, who two months ago supplanted Powell as the world record holder in the 100 metres at the Reebok Grand Prix in New York, says he is not surprised at his recent success.
Not surprised
"Well, things have been coming together for a long while now so I'm not really surprised," Bolt, who dominated his career as a junior, said.
"I've been doing well over the years. I guess it's just my time now I would say."
Bolt leads the world in the 100 metres with his world record run of 9.72 seconds and the 200 metres with a career best and national record of 19.67 seconds.
He is expected to leave Beijing with at least one individual gold medal and two if he runs the sprint double. But despite the huge expectations, the lanky sprinter says he feels no pressure.
"The only way you are under pressure is [if] you put yourself under pressure," said the runner nicknamed 'Lightning Bolt'.
Do my best
"I never put my self under any form of pressure because I know every time I go out there I do my best at all times.
"I'm not going out there to lie down and I know they (my challengers) are not doing that either. I am just really going out there to do my thing."
Last Saturday, Bolt landed yet another world-class performance in a slight head wind to win the 200 metres at the London Grand Prix.
The 19.76 seconds winning performance was his third fastest ever half-lap, but was accomplished with sanguine ease.
"I went out with a plan and that's what I did. I just went out there to do some work on my 200 metres because I haven't done a lot on this race," Bolt said.
Only four other men have ever gone faster than Bolt's 19.67, but only one, American Wallace Spearmon, will line up in the event in Beijing next month.