DALIAN (China), Aug 6: American sprinter Shawn Crawford wishes people would stop calling him the defending Olympic 200 metres champion.

“I don’t have to defend the 2004 gold medal,” Crawford told reporters at the US training camp on Wednesday. “I have that. The goal now is to win the gold medal that organisers will hand out onAug 20,” Crawford said. “It is up for grabs for anybody.”

The man they all have to beat is world silver medallist Usain Bolt, who has the year’s three fastest 200 metres times and the world record in the 100 metres.

“He’s one of the best athletes out there now,” Crawford said. “You’ve got to train like you are on a mission to take him out.”

—Reuters