BEIJING - Jamaican 100 metres world record holder Usain Bolt will run both the 100 and 200 metres at the Beijing Olympics, his coach said on Saturday.

Jamaica's Usain Bolt celebrates his victory in the men's 200 metres at the London Grand Prix at Crystal Palace in London in this July 26, 2008 file photo. [Agencies]

Neither the coach, Glen Mills, or Bolt had previously confirmed the Jamaican would run both events.

"He will run both," Mills said in an e-mail to Reuters.

Bolt had always said he wanted to run both sprint races at the Games but the coach had been hesitant to allow the 21-year-old world 200 metres silver medallist to add the 100 to his Olympic hopes.

The decision sets up the biggest race of the Olympics with Bolt facing compatriot and former world record holder Asafa Powell and American world champion Tyson Gay.

Bolt took the 100 metres record from Powell when he ran a stunning 9.72 seconds at New York on May 31.

Powell returned from injury to defeat Bolt last month in Stockholm in their last meeting before the Games.