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Olympic odds: American Gay says he's OK for 100
By Jordan WaltersWagerWeb.com Contributing Writer
| Sports Betting at WagerWeb Online Sportsbook |
U.S. sprinter Tyson Gay, the +150 co-favorite on WagerWeb.com for the 100-meter dash at the upcoming Olympics, says his hamstring is feeling better and he'll be healthy and ready to go when that event begins next week.
“When I step on the line in Beijing, don't worry. I'll be ready to go,” Gay said.
Gay, the defending world champion in the 100 and 200 meters, hurt his hamstring early last month at the U.S. Olympic Trials while running in preliminary heats in the 200 meters (and thus will miss that race in Beijing). He already had qualified for the 100. He pulled out of a race in London on July 25, saying he wanted to rest to ensure he was healthy for the Olympics.
In the 100, Gay is expected to battle world-record holder Usain Bolt (+150 on WagerWeb.com) and the man Bolt took the record from, fellow Jamaican Asafa Powell (+195).
American 200 meter sprinter Wallace Spearmon believes all three 100 contestants could run under 9.70 seconds in Beijing.
"I honestly think Bolt can run 9.6 seconds, Asafa can run 9.6 and a healthy Tyson can run 9.6," he said. "Four athletes ran faster than 9.90 seconds in 2004 but that might be like sixth place here."
Gay has decided to fly to Beijing and skip going to the U.S. track team's training camp in Dalian because he wants be at Friday's opening ceremony. Gay's place in the U.S. 400 meter relay squad is apparently assured, despite missing the training camp, a usual pre-condition for selection to the team.
The 21-year-old Bolt is seeking to become the Caribbean's first 100m champion since Trinidad's Hasely Crawford in 1976, and he is also a favorite for the 200m.
Bolt surprised many by breaking the 100m world record set by Powell, running a 9.72 in New York on May 31. Powell rebounded to beat Bolt in last month's meet in Stockholm.
There never has been an Olympic 100 race involving three men with such stellar credentials.
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