EUGENE, Oregon, July 4 |
EUGENE, Oregon, July 4 (Reuters) – Soft-spoken and humble,
American Tyson Gay seems so different from most modern-day
sprinters.
He seldom raises his voice, rarely if ever makes bold
predictions and generally keeps a low profile outside his
passion for social media.
Yet, like the Thoroughbred horses that graze near his
Lexington, Kentucky hometown, he can sprint.
No American has ever run faster. Not nine-times Olympic
champion Carl Lewis, not Maurice Greene, the last American to
hold the 100 metres world record.
Only Jamaican Usain Bolt stands between current Florida
resident Gay and the cherished title of World’s Fastest Man.
Still, until he was 14 by his estimation, the likeable
American could not outrun his older sister.
Now, as the London Games approach, Gay’s name is linked with
Bolt, Jamaican world champion Yohan Blake, Asafa Powell and
American Justin Gatlin as the men to watch in the Olympic 100
metres final on Aug. 5.
What transpired in the intervening years is a story of
speed, a seemingly never-ending string of injuries and the will
to succeed no matter how painful the setback.
Thumb through story after story about the U.S. record holder
and one wonders why the slender runner did not put away his
spikes long ago.
‘KEEP FIGHTING’
Back problems, groin injuries, a strained hamstring and most
recently a hip injury that required surgery and kept him out of
competition for nearly a year have been roadblocks to the former
U.S. collegiate champion’s success.
“I am really mentally strong,” Gay told Reuters. “And I keep
on fighting.”
The determination amazes his agent, Mark Wetmore.
“He is mentally able to push his body beyond where a lot of
people have told me he should,” Wetmore said.
Gay appeared destined in 2007 to be the world’s next great
sprinter, winning gold medals
This article originally appeared on: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/07/04/oly-athl-gay-profile-idUSL1E8HD2YG20120704