Tyson Gay beats Usain Bolt

http://www.universalsports.com/video/assetid=aa51eb32-cd70-499c-b899-a82c6d1d37a7.html#gay+stuns+bolt+stockholm+100m

It’s about time.  Tyson Gay finally beat Usain Bolt in the 100m.   At the DN Galan meet in Stockholm, Gay beat Bolt in their third head-to-head in the 100m. Gay ran 9.84 to Bolt’s 9.97.   

I celebrate Gay’s win not so much for him crossing the line first, but unfortunately for the validity it now gives him.  Fans all know he’s got the talent and we all say he’s one of the few athletes that can beat Bolt, but he hadn’t until now. Bolt has beaten Gay in two of the three world records he has set in the 100m -- the only times they had previously met. And Gay’s American record of 9.69, he set in Shanghai last September, is the second fastest time ever to speedy pants, Bolt’s, 9.58.  So it’s good to see Gay finally take a race from Bolt. The last time Bolt lost in the 100m was to Asafa Powell in July 2008, and it was also at the Stockholm meet.  To me that race was more Bolt letting Powell win, than Powell taking the race from Bolt. 

But there was no disputing the results in Stockholm this time. Although Gay and Bolt are both overcoming injuries and it’s an off year, it was good to see Gay come to a meet well prepared and hungry. He had the better start and wouldn’t relinquish his lead. Bolt, whose top speed usually can't be topped, had to cross the line without the cameras running after him. 

The best part of Gay’s win to me is that it’ll make both he and Bolt better athletes.  Both sprinters are very respectful of the other. Gay is Mr. Humble, always acknowledging how good every athlete is, and Bolt has declared in the past that he can’t even think of sleeping on Gay. It's a privilege to watch track and field history be made by these two men and Powell. I selfishly want more and can’t wait for the next showdown.
-- Connie Aitcheson