Athletics: Gay wins in style
American Tyson Gay managed the fastest time in the world this year in winning the 100 metres at the Aviva London Grand Prix.
Last Updated: 14/08/10 12:55am
Tyson Gay managed the fastest time in the world this year in winning the 100 metres at the Aviva London Grand Prix.
The American followed up his stunning victory over Usain Bolt in Stockholm by clocking a time of 9.78 seconds, despite damp conditions at Crystal Palace.
That was 0.04 secs faster than the previous quickest in 2010 set by Jamaican duo Bolt and Asafa Powell, who were not competing in the 12th of this year's 14 Diamond League meetings.
Another Jamaican, Yohan Blake, was a distant second to Gay in a personal best time of 9.89secs.
Injury problems
"I wasn't expecting to go that fast in these conditions but I knew I was in good shape and was going to go fast," Gay said afterwards.
"I was hobbling a bit at the end - my groin is a little sore but I'm sure it's okay. I wasn't necessarily sending a message to Asafa and Usain, I was just running my own race. I think there's more to come.
"It's great to be on top of the world, that's important to me. This is not the best shape I've ever been in because I'm still dealing with a few little injuries."
Elsewhere, Allyson Felix completed the first leg of a possible double in the meeting with a commanding victory in the 200m, winning in 22.37secs. She will be competing in the 400m on Saturday.
South African Oscar Pistorius failed to achieve the qualifying time for an able-bodied athlete for this year's Commonwealth Games in Delhi, finishing seventh in the 400m B race.
The double amputee, a triple Paralympic champion, was looking for a time of 45.95s but could only manage 46.93.
British heroes
It was also a tough night for some of Great Britain's heroes from the recent European Championship.
Mark Lewis-Francis, a silver medallist in Barcelona, failed to make the 100m final after finishing sixth in his heat. Marlon Devonish and Christian Malcolm also failed to qualify, ending up sixth and seventh respectively.
Double European champion Mo Farah was pipped by American Bernard Lagat in an excellent finish to the 3,000m. Fellow Brit Chris Thompson ended up finishing in sixth place.
Meanwhile, triple jumper Phillips Idowu could only manage a best effort of 16.54m, leaving him in sixth place. Former world and Olympic champion Christian Olsson won the competition with a best jump of 17.41m.
