The fastest human being ever
EUGENE, Ore. - Tyson Gay won the 100-meter final in 9.68 seconds, the fastest time ever posted by a human being, but will be denied a world record due to the wind speed Sunday. QUOTES
Gay set the American record of 9.77 a day earlier in the quarterfinals
Gay's winning time of 9.68 (+4.1mps) is the fastest time ever run in the 100m under any conditions, according to USA Track and Field. RESULTS
Obadele Thompson of Barbados had run 9.69 (>+5) in 1996.
By HOWARD FENDRICH AP Sports Writer
EUGENE, Ore. (AP) -- Tyson Gay was a blur in blue, sprinting 100 meters faster than anyone ever has.
His time of 9.68 seconds at the U.S. Olympic trials Sunday doesn't count as a world record, because it was run with the help of a too-strong tailwind. Here's what does matter: Gay qualified for the team and served notice that he is certainly someone to watch at the Beijing Games.
Wearing a royal blue uniform with red and white diagonal stripes across the front, along with matching shoes, all in a tribute to 1936 Olympic star Jesse Owens, Gay dominated the competition. He started well and pulled out to a comfortable lead by the 40-meter mark.
This time, he kept pumping those legs all the way through the finish line, extending his lead. In Saturday's opening heat, Gay pulled way up, way too soon, and nearly was caught by the field, before accelerating again and lunging in for fourth place.
No such close call this time.
Copyright 2008 The Associated Press.
SEMIFINALS: Resting up for the finals
EUGENE, Ore. (AP) -- Tyson Gay easily won his semifinal for the 100 meters at the U.S. Olympic track and field trials and seemed to save something for the final later Sunday.
His wind-aided 9.85 seconds was a fairly cut-and-dry performance compared to what happened a day earlier. On Saturday, Gay misjudged the finish in his opening heat and had to scramble to finish fourth, then in his quarterfinal a couple of hours later, ran 9.77 to break the American record that had stood since 1999.
QUARTERFINALS: Record setting run
EUGENE, Ore. -- After almost failing to advance in the morning qualifiers, Tyson Gay set a blistering time of 9.77 to set a new American record in the 100 meters Saturday afternoon in the first quarterfinal heat. RESULTS
Gay's run actually shattered three records: the American, the Olympic Trials and the Hayward Field records in the 100 meters.
The previous American record of 9.79 was set by Maurice Greene in 1999, who also held the Olympic Trials record of 9.91 set in 2004.
Shawn Crawford set the previous Hayward record of 9.88 in 2004. STORY
This series of still image shows gay, in lane 4 wearing blue with a red and white diagnol stripe, crossing the finish line.
Tyson Gay, Olympic Qualifier, 1st Place
On running 9.68: "It means a lot to me. I'm glad my body went that fast. It's a pretty good feeling and I hope I'm ready for the 200 meters."
On his goal for the Olympics: "Getting a gold medal is my biggest motivation and I want to save the best for last. My expectations are huge going into the Olympics."
On running 9.68: "Jon Drummond said I was capable of running 9.6, so that's what I had in my mind."
On the race: "It was ok. I just tried to stay relaxed and run through the finish line. I didn't want to make the same mistakes from earlier."
On the time being wind-aided: "I wasn't disappointed. I just wanted to make the team, but I can tell when the wind started to pick up when I got into the blocks. I've been running track long enough to know when the wind is going to be over 2.0."
On the pressure of facing Usain Bolt: "I still don't think I have a lot of pressure. He's (Bolt) still the world record holder."
On how he thinks he will feel after the race: "I started to cramp up on the victory lap and my hamstring started to give out. I know I had to take care of my body, so I could get ready for the 200 meters."
On Walter Dix: "Dix is a tough competitor. He visited Arkansas when I was going to school there, so I've known him for a long time. He's a tough competitor and he proved a lot today."
On Jon Drummond: "He's done a lot for me mentally. He has helped me be a champion off the track and not just on the track. After each practice we talk about what went well in practice and we look at film."
