Olympics: Gay fails to qualify for 100m finals

Perhaps the most shocking competitive news from the Olympics just happened today. Former Razorback sprinter Tyson Gay finished fifth in the 100-meter semifinals, pushing Gay out of the final, which was run earlier today and won by Jamaica’s Usain Bolt.

Bolt set a world record with a 9.69 in the 100-meter dash final to win the gold. Meanwhile, Gay is left to consider what went wrong in his disappointing fifth-place finish earlier in the semis. Many thought Bolt and Gay would compete for the gold today before Gay came short in the semis. We may never get that Bolt-Gay face-off most world track followers had been waiting for.

Gay tweaked a hamstring July 5 at the U.S. Olympic Trials in the 200 meter run and had been rehabbing up until his arrival for the games in Beijing, China. Prior to the injury, Gay ran a wind-aided 9.68 to win the 100 meter at the trials.

Gay said his hamstring was fine during the semifinal race earlier today in Beijing, China.

“Toward the finish line I couldn’t tell if I made it to the finals or not. I looked up there and realized I didn’t. It was kind of devastating. I may have needed more races, but I don’t really have any excuses. I just didn’t make it. My hamstring feels good, it’s not bothering me. I wasn’t too overwhelmed with it being the Olympics. It just was one of those things that happened. Maybe I could have used some more training or more races.”

Gay’s dream for an Olympic gold may still come to fruition, however. The former Razorback may join Team USA’s 4×100 meter relay team …. if he’s deemed healthy.

“Definitely I’m interested in running the relay,” Gay said.

You gotta feel for the guy after all that work he did in the weeks leading up to the games to overcome his injury.

We’ll keep you up to date on Gay’s situation.

– Brandon Marcello

Photo by Anja Niedringhaus, Associated Press

Filed under: Other U of A Sports, Uncategorized by Brandon Marcello. Posted on: August 16, 2008 at 10:52 am