Bolden's inclusion in the field came at the last minute when reigning world champion Maurice Greene pulled out of the event this week due to injury. Greene won the 100 metres in the British Grand Prix last year in 9.97 secs, but the injury that forced him to pull out of the 200 metres in the American trials has lingered long enough to cause him to withdraw from this weekend's event.

ButAto Boldon is many people's favourite to upstage his American team-mate in Sydney. He was a leading member of the relay team that broke the UK All-Comers record at Crystal Palace last year, but was subsequently forced to sit out the World Championships through injury - and watch as Greene stole his 200m crown.

Bailey meanwhile has been on the up-and-up in recent weeks and posted his Olympic credentials with a storming performance in Lucerne, recording a time of 9.98 seconds. The Canadian's claim that he wouldn't give up his Olympic title without a fight rang rather hollow following his defeat by Scottish sprinter Ian Mackie at Bedford in June, but his run in Lucerne has put him firmly back among the favourites for Sydney.

Bruny Surin may not be as high profile as Greene or Bailey, but the 32 year old has been mixing it with the best since 1989. He reached his peak in last year's World Championship final when he finished second to Greene in a time of 9.84 seconds, which equalled Bailey's Canadian and former world record. Joining Bolden, Bailey and Surin will be Australian sprint star Matt Shirvington and some of Britain's own leading Olympic sprint hopes including European Cup winner Darren Campbell in a race that still promises to provide London with a key insight into the destination of the coveted Olympic 100m crown.

"It's great news to have the three fastest men on the planet coming to London" said meeting promoter Ian Stewart. "We saw the first ever sub 10 second run in Britain at this meeting last summer - Greene's 9.97 seconds."

Tickets for the Norwich Union British Grand Prix at Crystal Palace on August 5 are available on the hotline number 0870 4444440.