Gatlin, Gay secure London return
EUGENE, Oregon, June 24 (Reuters) – Justin Gatlin is back. So is Tyson Gay.
Eight years after winning Olympic gold and two years after concluding a doping ban, Gatlin secured his return to the Games by running an eye-catching 9.80 seconds to win the 100 meters at the US Olympic trials on Sunday.
It was the second fastest time of the year after Usain Bolt’s 9.76 seconds and a personal best for the 30year-old Gatlin, whose previous quickest time was the 9.85 he ran to win gold in Athens.
Gay, coming back from hip surgery after nearly a year off the track, also looked ready to take on the world’s best in London as he clocked 9.86 for second.
“Everything seems so surreal,” a smiling Gatlin, dressed in a red Team USA uniform, told reporters.
“I just went out there and gave it my all.”
His start was not the greatest but by 35 meters Gatlin looked like the runner of old as he turned on his speed with Gay close behind.
“His execution down the track was almost flawless,” said his coach, retired sprinter Dennis Mitchell.
It left Gatlin confident he could regain the sprint title in London ahead of the likes of Jamaica’s world record holder Bolt and world champion Yohan Blake.
“I think I can go faster ... enough to win the gold,” Gatlin said.
Gay had one word to describe his emotions. “Bittersweet,” he said. “I always like to win. I came in second, but I guess at the end of the day it was about making the team, so I got to make I sure I turn this little bit of frown into a happy face.
“For me to start training in March and make the team is a beautiful accomplishment.”
Former junior college champion Ryan Bailey claimed the third spot in 9.93, while 2008 Olympic bronze medallist Walter Dix finished last in 10.95 as leg problems continued to hamper him.
“Tried to test it one step at a time,” Dix said.
“Things like this happen. I really can’t say much about it.”
The sprint came after LaShawn Merritt and Sanya Richards-Ross had delivered the fastest 400 meters times of the year.
Olympic champion Merritt, who has also served a doping ban since his Beijing triumph, romped home in 44.12 seconds to defeat collegiate winner Tony McQuay and Bryshon Nellum, who four years ago was shot in both legs.
“I have been training very hard this season ... if it takes 43 [seconds] and digging in London I’m willing to go there,” Merritt said of his title defense.
McQuay ran 44.49 and Nellum finished in 44.80.
“It’s been a long journey for me,” Nellum said. “I finally had a healthy season.”