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Gay to skip Bolt clash in London
Eurosport - Mon, 13 Jul 15:24:00 2009
Reigning world champion Tyson Gay has dodged a 100 metres showdown with Olympic champion Usain Bolt, instead opting to compete over 200m at the Aviva Grand Prix later this month.
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Gay is the quickest man over both 100m and 200m this season, and will defend both titles, as well as the 4x100m relay, at the World Championships in Berlin.
The 26-year-old American clocked a world leading 9.77 seconds at the Golden League meet in Rome earlier this month, while triple Olympic gold medallist Bolt's best is 9.86 secs.
But rather than race Bolt in Crystal Palace, Gay has chosen to focus on the 200m and save his long-awaited clash with the Jamaican until Berlin.
"The race in London is important for me as a final test for the World Championships. I've only raced once this season in the 200m and I was really happy with that," said Gay, who clocked 19.58 secs over 200m in May, the third-fastest ever time.
"Another 200m fits perfectly into my preparation for Berlin at this time and London will be the place to do that.
"I want to go to Berlin and defend my titles, and I'm happy with my progress this season so far. But we have a way to go."
Injury put paid to Gay's Olympic hopes last year in Beijing, where he could only reach the semi-finals of the 100m after suffering a hamstring strain in the build-up to the Games.
Meanwhile fellow American Michael Rodgers will line up against Bolt in the 100m.
The 24-year-old recently shot to prominence with victory at the US Trials, which followed another impressive run at the Prefontaine Classic in June where he set a new personal best of 9.94 seconds.
Eurosport - Mon, 13 Jul 15:24:00 2009
Reigning world champion Tyson Gay has dodged a 100 metres showdown with Olympic champion Usain Bolt, instead opting to compete over 200m at the Aviva Grand Prix later this month.
More StoriesGay is the quickest man over both 100m and 200m this season, and will defend both titles, as well as the 4x100m relay, at the World Championships in Berlin.
The 26-year-old American clocked a world leading 9.77 seconds at the Golden League meet in Rome earlier this month, while triple Olympic gold medallist Bolt's best is 9.86 secs.
But rather than race Bolt in Crystal Palace, Gay has chosen to focus on the 200m and save his long-awaited clash with the Jamaican until Berlin.
"The race in London is important for me as a final test for the World Championships. I've only raced once this season in the 200m and I was really happy with that," said Gay, who clocked 19.58 secs over 200m in May, the third-fastest ever time.
"Another 200m fits perfectly into my preparation for Berlin at this time and London will be the place to do that.
"I want to go to Berlin and defend my titles, and I'm happy with my progress this season so far. But we have a way to go."
Injury put paid to Gay's Olympic hopes last year in Beijing, where he could only reach the semi-finals of the 100m after suffering a hamstring strain in the build-up to the Games.
Meanwhile fellow American Michael Rodgers will line up against Bolt in the 100m.
The 24-year-old recently shot to prominence with victory at the US Trials, which followed another impressive run at the Prefontaine Classic in June where he set a new personal best of 9.94 seconds.
Paul Marin -19 is one thing, 20 is a whole other matter. It gets even worse if they win the UCL. *groan*. 
05/18/2011.MU fans naah cough, but all a unuh a vomit?-Lazie 1/11/2015
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