Intro:

World 400 metres champion Kirani James of Grenada said on Thursday that in the past couple of weeks he has come to realise that he doesn't have any pressure to win the 2012 Olympic title.

Script:

Kirani James ventured out to face the media at London's Olympic Park on Thursday.

Just 19 years of age, the Grenadian is one of the favourites for Olympic 400 metres gold.

SOUNDBITE (English) Kirani James, 400 metres world champion:

(On prospect of winning Olympic title)
"It would be awesome. It wouldn't be memorable just for me but, you know, everyone in my country and everyone that's a fan of me. But also it's not just to go out there and beat the Americans because it's a very talented field throughout, a lot of good guys coming up, so I mean you can't really underestimate anybody."

James already triumphed at the 2011 World Championships in Daegu, where he edged LaShawn Merritt by three-hundredths of a second.

And he says the Olympics is just like any other race.

SOUNDBITE (English) Kirani James, 400 metres world champion (On the Olympics as a whole):

"You know it is something special, but 400 metres is 400 metres, you know I still have to try and run fast and turn left - so I don't see it as any different race… but, you know, just go out there and compete."

The men's 400 metres begins on Saturday.