- Title: UK: OLYMPICS: Bolt still one of the 100m favourites says Tyson Gay
- Date: 1st August 2012
- Summary: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (AUGUST 1, 2012) (REUTERS) NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS (SOUNDBITE) (English) UNITED STATES OLYMPIC SPRINTER, TYSON GAY, SAYING: "I don't really, I don't really want to say he's vulnerable. Like I said several times, this guy has really proved that he can run 9.5, 9.6 and 9.7 several times as well. He's the only guy that's been where we have
- Embargoed: 16th August 2012 13:00
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- Location: United Kingdom
- Country: United Kingdom
- Topics: Sports
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- Story Text: United States sprinter Tyson Gay says Usain Bolt is still favourite for the blue ribbon sprint title but hopes that he can achieve a personal best to be in with a chance of gold.
United States sprinter Tyson Gay held a news conference in London on Wednesday (August 1), and said Usain Bolt was still favourite for the blue ribbon sprint title but hoped that he could reach a personal best to keep up.
"I don't really, I don't really want to say he's vulnerable. Like I said several times, this guy has really proved that he can run 9.5, 9.6 and 9.7 several times," Gay said, "I think he still has to be one of the favourites. He's a definite champion, he knows what it takes to compete on this level."
"If they run those times I've never been before I can only hope that my body is able to go there as well. But on this stage right now it's all about medals, so you know, regardless if they run 9.8, 9.7, 9.6 you know it's just something that I hope my body's allowed to do."
A Jamaican podium sweep is conceivable in the race but a strong American trio, paced this year by 2004 Athens Olympic champion Justin Gatlin, will be keen to stake claims of their own.
Gay said that he believed it was important for the US sprinters to end Jamaica's sprinting domination.
"I think it's very important for the US to try and get back on top in the sprints. I think it's important to win the relay, I think it's important for me to try and take some leadership away, or try to be a part of history for the United States as well," he said.
In the relay, Gay and his team mates may face a South Africa team including double amputee sprinter Oscar Pistorius.
Pistorius, nicknamed 'Blade Runner' because of his carbon fibre prosthetics, has been controversially allowed to compete amongst able-bodied athletes in London despite some people believing his prosthetic legs give him an advantage. But Gay said that all athletes supported the fact that Pistorius had been allowed to run.
"As far as I know, the athletes who I'm around, they support it 100 percent, you know, and I support it as well. I think he's a great athlete, I think he has a lot of talent as well, and I think he's really opened up the doors for a lot of people." - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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