PRAGUE — Usain Bolt will compete in the rarely contested 300-meter race for the first time at the Czech Golden Spike meet.

Organizers said Wednesday that Bolt, who holds the world record at 100 and 200 meters, will attempt to break the 300 world mark on May 27 in Ostrava. Michael Johnson of the United States holds the fastest time of 30.85 seconds.
The IAAF does not recognize it as a world record because the distance is not used at major events.
“I have done some 300s in training so I am used to the distance but this will be my first time to race it,” Bolt said. “If the weather is good, I hope to run a fast time.”
Bolt will race for the fourth time at the meet, which is part of the new IAAF World Challenge series. Last year, he won the 100 meters in 9.77.
The Jamaican sprint star will reportedly earn more than $300,000 for his participation in the event. Organizers say he will receive another $30,000 if he sets a world best.
Bolt opened his season by running the 400 in the Campertown Classic in Jamaica on Feb. 14, clocking 45.86. He said he has no plans to compete regularly in the longer sprint distance, at least for now.
“I think the 400 meters is somewhere in the future, but hopefully after 2012,” Bolt said. “The 400 is painful.”