Walter Dix of the US celebrates after finishing second in the men's 200m at the IAAF Diamond League athletics meet in Doha May 6, 2011. [Photo/Agencies]

EUGENE, Oregon - US sprinter Walter Dix has Olympic medals and world rankings but little public recognition.

The low-key sprinter hopes to work on that this weekend at the US championships which are doubling as the American trials for August's IAAF world championships.

With appearances in both the 100 and 200 metres, Dix will be aiming not only for his first-ever victory over American record holder Tyson Gay in the 100 but a ticket to the world championships in both sprint races where Jamaican Usain Bolt is the defending champion and world record holder.

"Basically (according to public perception) there are only two guys in track and field in the sprint world," Dix told Reuters. "That's Usain and Tyson and sometimes Asafa (Powell).

"They (the media) pay so much attention to them, if it is not Tyson Gay or Usain Bolt, and sometimes Asafa, guys seem to kind of fall into the dust pile," said the 2008 Olympic double sprint bronze medallist.

The talk inspires rather than deflates him, Dix said, even if Bolt is the world record holder, Gay the U.S. holder and Jamaican Powell the former world record holder at 100 metres.

"I know I have the potential to run with those guys," the Florida native said. "It makes me feel like I have to really get on my Ps and Qs and shock the world."

Dix will be a solid favourite in the 200 on Sunday with Gay sitting out the race, but the two are expected to meet in a packed 100 metres final on Friday, giving one of them a chance to grab a headline in what could be the race of the meeting.

"A lot of people still expect Gay to go out there and win," said Dix. "I will be the underdog."

That suits Dix just fine.

"All the pressure will be on him." said the 25-year-old, who is 0-3 in 100 metres races against Gay.