Olympics-Athletics-Fredericks and Bold out to upstage Johnson

By Mike Collett

ATLANTA, July 23 (Reuter) - While Michael Johnson is attempting what would
be a unique 200-400 metres men's Olympic double, two of his major rivals are
out to steal his thunder by winning doubles of their own -- over 100 and 200
metres.

Frankie Fredericks of Namibia, who has run the two fastest 100s in the the
world this year, and Ato Boldon of Trinidad and Tobago, the third fastest
over 200 behind Johnson and Fredericks, on Tuesday both declared themselves
ready to attempt the classic sprint double last achieved by Carl Lewis 12
years ago.

In seperate interviews, Fredericks, 28, and Boldon, 22, not only spoke of
their Olympic dreams, but also showed an integrity, intelligence and charm
not usually associated with the world's top sprinters when facing the media.

Fredericks firmly believes he can win the 100 and also beat new world record
holder and hot favourite Johnson to take the 200 gold as well, just as he
did in Oslo recently.

His strength in the 100 showed in Lausanne earlier this month when he beat
arguably the fastest field ever assembled in 9.86 seconds, just 1-100th of a
second outside Leroy Burrell's world record.

"That was probably my best race ever," he said, ``I'll never forget it. To
race against the best people in the world and to beat them, it was just a
great feeling. I think I could have got the world record, but I relaxed at
the end."

Fredericks is no stranger to major championships, collecting Olympic silvers
in both the 100 and 200 in Barcelona and a gold in the world championship
200 in Stuttgart in 1993.

He is far from over-awed by the Olympic experience.

"For me this is just another meeting. I didn't have the opportunity to grow
up dreaming about the Olympics and winning the gold medal because Namibia
was occupied by South Africa.

"What I am pleased about though is that after the '92 Olympics, Namibian
kids know I got two medals in Barcelona and they can grow up dreaming of
being in the Olympics in 2000 or 2004."

Like Fredericks, who moved to the United States to live and train eight
years ago, Boldon went to live in the U.S. in the 1980s. Sixteen years old
at the time, his divorced mother moved to New York with her three children
to give them a better chance in life.

He grabbed it with both hands, played soccer, acted Shakespeare in school
and quickly showed an outstanding natural ability for athletics.

He won the 200 bronze medal in the World Championships in Gothenburg last
year and believes he can go even further here.

"I am not one of these people who believe the Americans will sweep the
medals in the 100, because I intend to get one of them and I intend to get
one in the 200 too.

"Obviously it is going to be tough, especially with Michael Johnson running
the 200, but I am in as good shape as I have ever been in and will be
looking to run personal bests in both finals. I could definitely upset some
people."

Boldon is inspired by former sprinter Hasely Crawford who won Trinidad's
only Olympic gold in the 100 at Montreal in 1976.

"It's the 20th anniversary of his victory and he has been very important my
whole career. He's the only person from Trinidad to have accomplished what I
am trying to accomplish and I want to win another gold medal or two for
Trinidad.

"It would mean so much, it would put the country back on the map and I would
give it to the country, to hang in the national stadium rather than let it
collect dust on my wall.

"Let all the children go and see it and realise what can be achieved."

Boldon went to Barcelona as an 18-year-old but was unwell and was eliminated
in the first round of both the 100 and 200, but it was an important stage in
his development.

"It was a humbling experience for a kid of 18 to be knocked out but it
changed my whole mental attitude. It's helped me ever since."

He says the Olympic final could be the first in history in which three men
run under 9.90 seconds.

"It's possible it could happen," he says, ``And if it does, I want to be one
of them."