After winning the 100 meters at the 2008 Olympic Trials, Tyson Gay suffered an injury while running in the 200. While he didn't make any excuses in Beijing, Gay was clearly not 100 percent and didn't reach the Olympic final. Adding insult to his injury, Gay was a part of the baton-dropping bobble that cost the U.S. a chance for a medal in the 4 x 100-meter relay. Despite some nagging muscle pain Gay came back strongly in 2009. He finished second to
Usain Bolt in the 100 at the World Outdoor Championships (9.71) and set a U.S. 100-meter record later in the year (9.69).
Tough trials for Tyson Gay:
Gay had an adventure in almost every race of the 2008 Olympic Trials. In the 100, Gay pulled up too early during the first preliminary heat and had to rally to grab the fourth and final automatic qualifying spot. Gay blazed to a then-U.S. record 9.77 clocking in the quarterfinal and finished in 9.85 in his semifinal before running the then-fastest 100 meters in world history to win the final in 9.68 seconds. The time wasn’t a recognized world record because he was aided by a 4.1-meters per second wind.
A close second:
Gay ran what was then the second-fastest 200-meter time in American history at the 2007 U.S. Outdoor Championships, which he won in 19.62 seconds. Former world record-holder Michael Johnson owns the U.S. record of 19.32. Gay dropped his personal best to 19.58 in 2009.
Career highlights:
Gay won gold medals in the 100, 200 and 4 x 100 relay at the 2007 World Championships. Prior to his performance at the 2008 Olympic Trials, Gay had won three U.S. titles (two in the 100 and one in the 200) plus one NCAA championship in the 100 for Arkansas.
Tyson Gay's stats:
- Height: 5-11
- Weight: 165
- Birth date: August 9, 1982
- Hometown: Lexington, Kentucky
- World Championships: Three (2007, outdoor)
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