The most outstanding performer of the 2007 Kansas Relays is back in town and wants everybody to know it.

“You’re going to see ‘Batman’ in action. Like the movie, ‘Batman Returns,”’ 24-year-old hurdles sensation Bershawn “Batman” Jackson said Friday at Memorial Stadium.

Jackson, who has won the 400 hurdles at the Relays three straight years, including last spring when he was clocked in a world-best 48.75 seconds, at 4:35 p.m. today will try to top the current world-best mark of 48.8.

“It’s going to be a great show,” 2005 World Outdoor champion Jackson said. “It’ll be a performance to see, the season opener for a potential gold medalist in the (2008) Olympics.”

The Miami native is the face of this year’s Relays, the only high-profile professional running in an individual event.

“I love Kansas,” Jackson said. “People should know it’s one of my favorite meets in the world. Everybody knows Bershawn Jackson will be here. It doesn’t matter who is coming in. I’ll be here.”

He first ran in the Relays as a high schooler, about the time he received the nickname “Batman.”

“They said I had big ears and fly over the hurdles – like Batman,” said Jackson, who trains in North Carolina.

“This is all about being loyal to the people who are loyal to you,” he added of returning to KU every year. “The meet has been really good to me. It’s the first meet I raced against professionals. I want to try to help it come back again. I want to help it be one of the biggest meets ever. If it takes me running 47.1, it’s what I’m going to do.”

Jackson’s ultimate goal this season is to make the Olympic team. He placed fourth at the Olympic Trials in 2004.

“I was more devastated when I didn’t make the finals (at world championships) last year,” Jackson said. “I was devastated (also at Trials), but I was just 19, 20 years old. So many people were depending on me making the team, to get a medal and be like a Miami hero.”

One other professional Olympic hopeful will be competing in an individual event today. Chris Cantwell, the ’08 Indoor world champion in the shot put, will throw at 1:30 p.m.

Kansas Citian Muna Lee, who placed seventh in the 200 at the 2004 Games in Greece, will compete in the 800 relay at 12:05 p.m. and 400 relay at 2:20 p.m.

Like Jackson, the former Central High and LSU standout loves the meet.

“I’ll be back every year. If it’s snowing or something, I’ll be like, ‘I’ll try to run something,”’ Lee said. “It’s the most attention I get anywhere. I’m always low key at meets.”

Wallace Spearmon Jr., the current American indoor record holder in the 200 dash, will run the 800 relay at 12:10 p.m. and 400 relay at 2:25 p.m.

“I’ve never run here before. I’m going to try to enjoy the crowd,” said Spearmon, a 2007 University of Arkansas graduate. “I’m not quite sure what to expect. Hopefully a victory. I can’t promise anything, but you’ll see me trying.”