KINGSTON, Jamaica: Usain Bolt, off to a lackluster start to the season, will run in Jamaica next week even though he is assured of a World Championships berth as reigning 100m and 200m champion.

The world record-holder in the 100m (9.58sec) and 200m (19.19sec) is trying to regain top form after a 2014 season in which he was limited by foot and hamstring injuries.

He has yet to break 10 seconds in the 100m or 20 seconds in the 200m this season, with the World Championships in Beijing — the most important meeting of the year — looming August 22-30.

Multiple sources have confirmed that Bolt will contest the 100m at the Jamaican trials for Beijing.

The heats of the 100m will be on Thursday, the opening day of the four-day Jamaican championships at the national stadium in Kingston, with the semifinals and final on Friday.

If he reaches the final, Bolt could find himself racing former world record holder Asafa Powell and Yohan Blake, the 2011 100m world champion who is battling back from injury.

On June 13 Bolt clocked a disappointing 20.29 seconds in winning the 200m at the New York Diamond League meeting.

He said after the race that he might have to consider running at the Jamaican championships to gain race fitness.

Salazar, Rupp in spotlight at US trials

Top American coach Alberto Salazar and Olympic 10,000 meters silver medallist Galen Rupp face tough questions at this week’s US world championships trials after being accused of anti-doping violations

Rupp, coached by Salazar, is favored to win both distance races at the trials, which begin on Thursday in Eugene, Oregon.

The American is scheduled to run the 10,000 meters on the opening night and the 5,000 on Sunday.

A BBC documentary and a US publication last week accused Salazar, who also coaches British double Olympic champion Mo Farah, of anti-doping violations and unethical behavior. Farah was not accused of wrongdoing.

Salazar, in a statement, called the reports “inaccurate and unfounded journalism.” He, Rupp and Farah all have denied using performance-enhancing drugs.

The coach, a consultant for British Athletics since 2013, has promised a detailed response that will “show the accusers are knowingly making false statements,” but so far he has not spoken publicly.

British Athletics are conducting a formal review into the relationship between Salazar and Farah with a report due in August.

The queries come as Justin Gatlin and Tyson Gay, who have both served doping bans, are favored to claim top sprint honors on the US team for the Aug. 22-30 world championships in Beijing.

Gatlin, who has not lost a sprint final since 2013, has a bye into the world meet in the 100 as the 2014 Diamond League champion, and elected to compete in just the 200 in Eugene.

“I think I’ll have enough 100s under my belt after nationals on the European circuit,” the year’s fastest man at both 100 and 200 meters said.

His 100m clash with world record holder Usain Bolt in Beijing is expected to be the highlight of the world championships.

Gay plans to run the 100 in Eugene, then make a decision on the 200.

“I am entered in both as of now,” he told Reuters. “If I do well enough in the 100, I may leave well enough alone and not put the extra pounding on my body.”

Along with Gatlin, 11 other US world and Diamond League champions have received byes into the world championship.

The top three finishers in each event qualify for the world championships if they have met qualifying standards.

Veteran Mike Rodgers and newcomers Marvin Bracy and Trayvon Bromell figure to chase Gay in the 100, while Gay, if he runs, and Isiah Young, are Gatlin’s top 200m challengers.

The men’s high hurdles should be a highlight with world champion David Oliver, Olympic winner and world record holder Aries Merritt and improving Aleec Harris all competing.

The next world 400 meters hurdles champion could come from the meeting, with season leader Bershawn Jackson, Johnny Dutch and Michael Tinsley, the Olympic and world silver medallist, all in the field.

A major clash also appears in store in the women’s 400 with Olympic 200 meters champion Allyson Felix taking on London 400 meters gold medallist Sanya Richards-Ross and Francena McCorory before deciding whether to run the 200 or 400 in Beijing.