Sport
Americans Gatlin, Gay ready to face Jamaican sprinters, Bolt, Blake in London
Gatlin, banished for much of Bolt’s rise to stardom, said he was ready for any mind games or Bolt’s trademark archery-styled theatrics at the start line.
“I love entertainment,” Gatlin said. “If he wants to tap dance, that’s fine. His lane is as long as my lane. I have to worry about me. If that gets him in ‘the zone’, that’s fine, let him do that.”
Gay, the former world champion who underwent hip surgery in 2011 and only ran two weeks ago after 50 weeks off, was second in 9.86 with Ryan Bailey third in 9.93 for the last London berth.
“I just wanted to make the team,” Gay said. “That’s probably all I could ask for right now. I feel like I’m on the way up.”
Gay’s time ranks seventh on this year’s world list and puts him fifth among performers behind Bolt, Gatlin, Blake and Powell.
“I’m just going to continue to take care of my body and stay healthy. That is the big thing,” Gay said. “A lot of these guys are already sharp and running great times. I believe it’s going to be tough in London.
“I’m just going to go fight them.”
