Gay nails London 200m in 20.00 flat

As Gay turned up in London, against expectations of a few weeks ago, it wasn't Spearmon who nailed 200m in 20 secs flat but Tyson Gay himself who did that at Crystal Palace on Sunday.

Seemingly not suffering adverse effects from "injury" Gay has now sent a signal that he's in decent form for Berlin, at least over the longer distance.

In order to beat Usain Bolt over 200m this year Tyson Gay will still have to have a "good day" and Bolt will have to experience a "bad" one.

Even if that happens; there is still no certainty the American can defeat the Jamaican in Berlin; over any distance.

Crystal Palace 2009 Aviva London Grand Prix 200m start list

Only Gay and Spearmon have run "sub 20" this year from the line up so the chances of this being much of a "race" in reality seem slim; even more so with Tyson Gay now claiming injury problems.

Look out for a Gay pull-out either before the day or during the event and a Spearmon win with a solid 20 seconds plus a few 1/100 ths


14:23 - 200 METRES - Men - Final START LIST


Personal Best 1st Seasons Best 2nd

1 Kim COLLINS SKN 20.20 20.55

2 Jaysuma SAIDY NDURE NOR 19.89 20.67

3 Trell KIMMONS USA 20.37 20.37

4 Mark JELKS USA 20.28 20.28

5 Marlon DEVONISH GBR 20.19 20.55

6 Tyson GAY USA 19.58 19.58

7 Wallace SPEARMON USA 19.65 19.98

8 Paul HESSION IRL 20.30 20.50

No 200m showdown for Gay & Bolt in London

On Friday at Crystal Palace in London Usain Bolt goes for another 100m outing saying "I'm not running scared. I'm not scared of anyone - I've never backed down from any challenge"

That has to be a direct barb to Tyson Gay who is expected to take to the track in the 200m and has "ducked" Bolt thus far in the run-up to Berlin.

Bolt with a fast 9.79 100m last Friday in Paris would not seem to need yet another 100m race (unless he wants to set a world record in London) however Tyson Gay still has the seasons best over 100m; just.

As for 200m; the 19.95 Bolt did recently that says enough over that distance for now.

The psychological pressure is hard on Gay at both 100m and 200m as Bolt just said Glen Mills "predicted" he can run 9.54; adding: "If the coach says so, he's always right,"

Bolt is certainly racing himself into great shape but a fast 200m by Gay on top of his good 100m would shake things up a bit.

Against that is the latest new from Mark Wetmore of the Gay camp that he will race 200m though is repeatedly suffering groin pain after his races.

The best in the world are talking expectations up in the case of Bolt and down in the case of Gay.

In "Top Shape" the 4th fastest ever 200m sees Bolt on fire in the rain - as Merrit and Powell make a splash.

Bolt runs 19.59 into a headwind in pouring rain in Lausanne Switzerland; just 100th off the time Tyson Gay set with a tailwind in NY on May 30.

400m specialist Lashawn Merrit in a tune-up came in second; Tyson Gay as expected was nowhere to be seen, ducking the rain and the competition. Perhaps he's in the sun somewhere working on his starts given his personal frustrations after the trials.

Next up Asafa Powell clocked a very decent 10.07, considering the adverse conditions, for a Jamaican clean sweep in the two glory sprints. The Americans seem to have a lot to do before the World Championships though Merrit is doing the right thing, getting out there and racing himself faster.