Intro:

Michael Johnson thinks Usain Bolt is the favourite for an Olympic gold as preparations start for Rio 2016.

Script:

SOUNDBITE (English) Michael Johnson, four-time Olympic champion:

"I think that (Usain) Bolt has to be the favourite as long as he is running and as long as he is healthy. There is just no one else when he is in good health - and that being the key when he is in good health - he is still pretty much unbeatable. I think it is still pretty early in the year and we will have to wait and see if things start to unfold. There is quite a bit of time between now and August. So it will be interesting to see what happens between now and then."

SOUNDBITE (English) Michael Johnson, four-time Olympic champion:

" I don't think it's any different in China to anywhere else in the world. The impact that we have been able to have as an organisation with young people using sport around the world. It has been truly impactful. We have impacted and affected many, many lives. China is no different. There is need everywhere for the work that we do. In America, where I am from, across Africa, in South America, and Asia as well. I don't think there is any difference. Any more or less for the sort of work that we do. There is always a need."

SOUNDBITE (English) Michael Johnson, four-time Olympic champion (on finding the next Liu Xiang):

"I think that it's a combination of talent identification and putting in place a really good talent identification programme. I think the talent ID is pretty good here actually. Identifying those athletes early on who have the ability and have the talent to get to the next level. And then continuing to invest in talent enrichment programmes that will take that talent to the next level. But it doesn't happen overnight. That's not unique to China. Every country has that same challenge trying to find the next generation of great athletes and then develop those athletes. It's not an easy thing to do."