Gay fires Bolt warning
American sprinter Tyson Gay shattered the 44-year-old world record
for the straight line 200m on Sunday.
Gay, the world 100m silver medallist, clocked 19.41sec at the Great
City Games in Manchester city centre, beating Tommie Smith’s
cinder-track record set in 1966 by 0.09sec.
On a cool night and facing a slight headwind everything went
perfectly for the 27-year-old Gay who saw off the challenge of Kim
Collins and Paul Hession. “Going into the race I knew it was going to be
tough to beat the record,” said Gay.
“It was pretty hard for the first 100 metres or so and I was
extremely tired. Kim Collins had an excellent start and I think that
motivated me to get down the street. It was truly amazing and it was
tough record to break.”
Gay now looks forward to his Diamond League campaign where he will
face Olympic and world champion, and 100m and 200m world record holder,
Usain Bolt in at least three meetings.
The American is convinced he can prevent his Jamaican rival blazing
another trail of victories. “I believe it, but he’s going to be tough to
beat,” said Gay. “Honestly he’s in another class right now but I’m
working hard to get there. The challenge is for me to work hard to get
to where he is at.”
MANCHESTER, AFP |