ROME. July 6: World champion to Boldon and Olympic champion Michael Johnson will race each other over 200 metres for the first time this year when the Golden League comes to Rome on Wednesday, reports Reuters.

The prospect means that the half-lap race looks set to overshadow the 100 metres sprint, where world record holder Maurice Greene is overwhelming favourite to win.

"Yes I m going to run the 200." Boldon told reporters this week. "With Michael Johnson ' thebe I've got my work cut out for me. I've already teased Maurice that he's got the easiest job of the two of us here."

Boldon said the regretted his decision would deprive the crowd at the Olympic stadium of seeing him run against his friend and training partner Greene.

"But it’s just not possible for the two best runners in the world to race against each other week in, week out." he said.

"I think Maurice and I pride ourselves on being sprinters rather than 100 metres runners and sprinters have to prove themselves over different distances."