Xavier James believes underdogs like himself could have top sprinters running scared at the Olympics.

The Island's 100-metre specialist is confident “if everything works out properly” he can achieve his twin objectives of setting a new national record and reaching the semi-finals of the marquee event.

Performances like that, he noted, should be made easier by the fact that he has “nothing to lose” and will not be under the glare of scrutiny that champion Maurice Greene and others big names face.

“I'm not afraid of those guys anymore. In fact, they should be more afraid of me because Maurice Greene and all those guys have something to prove but if someone like me sticks on their heels and applies pressure they could be very afraid.

“My job is to get out there and see how close to these guys I can get in every round,” reasoned James.

Speaking confidently from Florida, USA, where he has been training full-time since late May, the runner was pleased with his output in training and believes if he maintains his energy and focus he can produce “quality rounds”.

“It's an opportunity I want to make the most of. My goals at the Olympic Games are two-fold. If I make the semi-finals I would be very happy. Anything after that would be a bonus. I think I am in good enough shape to reach the semi-finals.

“Secondly, I want to run a new national record at the Games,” he declared, expressing his desire to erase Devon Bean's 10.27 seconds from the local record books.

However, his season best of 10.38 seconds was not even enough for an automatic Olympic berth as the qualifying standard was 10.28. James will compete in Athens thanks to a special provision allowing a country to send one male and female athletics representative to the Summer Games even if that individual does not meet the qualifying mark.

Asked if, given these circumstances, his ambitions were overly lofty, the 28-year-old replied that because he failed to clock the necessary time didn't mean he was incapable of doing so and he expected the Olympics to bring out the best in him.

“Some people have been in more ideal conditions to acquire the standard. I have not been in ideal racing situations to acquire the standard but it doesn't mean that I'm not capable of doing it. I was knocking on the door but I just never broke it open.

“I feel it's only a matter of time before I run really fast. It's going to be a fast track (at the Olympics), a positive crowd, everything is going to be in my favour.

“I've just got to rise to the occasion and make it happen.”

Better starts

Much of the Bermudian's current buoyancy is due to the strides he has made under the tutelage of former ace American sprinter Dennis Mitchell at the Olympic Training Centre in Florida.

“I've learnt a lot in a short amount of time. The main reason I came down to Florida is so coach Mitchell could help with my starts. That was my main objective.

“While I was in Bermuda an American coach, Randy Huntington, taught me how to execute my top-end speed and Dennis is now putting my race together mentally and getting my start proper,” explained the country's lone track and field representative.

James' invitation to the centre came after he impressed officials there during a race in February and has proven an invaluable change from here where “quality races are not at your disposal”.

Another advantage is the welcome absence of distractions; a necessity in an Olympic countdown.

“You come to a new environment and you're able to channel your energy into what you're doing because of the lack of people you know. You're able to come home and prepare for the next day rather than getting into other things or distractions.

“That's one of the biggest positives about being out here. I can channel my energy in one direction without trying to juggle running with this and that.”

James also hailed his training partners and the top-class facilities as “blessings”, noting that because of the close proximity of various experts they can come together quickly to discuss a specific athlete's problem.

As he heads to Athens next Wednesday for the experience of a lifetime, this physical education teacher thanked all who have supported his quest, including family and his principal at Gilbert Institute Eunice Jones for allowing him no-pay leave to pursue his Olympic goal.

From here on though he is on his own and, having come thus far on ability and gutsy determination, he is ready for the challenge of what he termed “a very lonely sport”.

“Even if you have training partners, you're out there on the line alone. You don't have any team-mates to blame a bad race on.”

Thus it will be for Xavier James when the gun fires at the 28th Olympic Games.