Tyson Gay wins 100 meters in field without Justin Gatlin, Usain Bolt
NEW YORK – After working his way back into Olympic contention following a one-year suspension for doping, it may take more than imperfect conditions and a brief delay to slow down Tyson Gay.
Despite strong headwinds and the pre-race pause caused by a false start, Gay claimed the 100 meters at the Adidas Grand Prix with a time of 10.12 seconds, eking past the field to solidify his place as one of the favorites in the event at this month's U.S. Outdoor Championships.
"I have a lot of fight in me," Gay said. "I always try to run through the tape and whatever happens, happens. I felt great. I knew it was some great starters in the race, but I knew they had a lot of heart.
"I didn't see the wind reading but when we got in the box you could really feel the wind blowing. You just have to regroup mentally."
Gay was originally handed a two-year ban by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency after testing positive for steroids at the 2013 U.S. championships. But that ban was shortened to just one year because Gay cooperated fully in USADA's investigation.
In May, the U.S. men's sprint relay team had its silver medal from the 2012 London Games stripped as a result of Gay's doping case.
"Any time you get a victory it builds your confidence," he said. "You want to come out and win the race. There's a ton to come, but at the end of the day I'm just happy with the victory."
Keston Bledman of Trinidad and Tobago came in second with a time of 10.13 seconds and Jamaica's Nesta Carter in third at 10.15. Among other American sprinters, Diondre Baston (10.24) finished fifth, Trell Kimmons (10.40) in seventh and Joseph Morris (10.45) in eighth.
Gay was the lone gold-medal contender in a race that lacked the world's two best: The eight-person field did not include Justin Gatlin, who has claimed the world's best time in the 100 in 2015, and Usain Bolt, who won the 200 meters on Saturday with a time of 20.29.
The field also lacked another four American sprinters with hopes of reaching the World Championships – held in Beijing in late August – in Mike Rodgers, Marvin Bracy, Ryan Bailey and Trayvon Bromell.
Gay's time falls short of his finish at the Prefontaine Classic in late May, when the 32-year-old – a self-described "old geezer in the sport" – ran a 9.88. Gatlin's 9.75 at Rome's Golden Gala on June 5 was the world's fastest time in three years and the fifth-fastest finish in history.
But Gatlin won't race at the U.S. championships, held in Eugene, Ore., due to his status as the reigning Diamond League champion. Gatlin will next run the 100 in Beijing.
"I know the (U.S. Outdoor Championships) are going to be just like this," said Gay, who plans to focus primarily on the 100 heading into the meet. "I'm looking forward to it and we'll go on from there."