Standing shirtless in the spring sun, Donovan Bailey walks up to the line on the track and pauses. Without stepping into the starting blocks, the world's fastest human bounds down the lane at a pace casual for him, yet still faster than most men. An observer looks for a hitch in his stride, any sign other than an eight-inch scar that Bailey is struggling to return to form after blowing out the Achilles tendon in his left leg seven months ago. Don't bother, Bailey says.
Nothing is different.
Not the stride. Not the speed. And certainly not the confidence that he still can outrun those who are chasing his world record of 9.84 seconds in the 100 meters. I've done everything I can. My Achilles is 100 percent.