U.S. sprinter Tyson Gay beats 100-meter world record holder Usain Bolt in Stockholm
U.S. sprinter Tyson Gay handed world record holder Usain Bolt of Jamaica his first 100-meter loss in more than two years at the IAAF Diamond League DN Galan meet Friday in Stockholm.
Gay held a narrow lead over Bolt halfway through the race before pulling away to set a meet record (which earned him an automatic prize of a $10,000 diamond) of 9.84 seconds and defeat Bolt for the first time.
“Now I’ve got to keep it up,” Gay said.
Bolt took second place with a time of 9.97 seconds, his second slowest time ever in a final, according to the Diamond League website.
His last loss in the event was also in Stockholm, in July 2008. That race was won by fellow Jamaican Asafa Powell, who did not race Friday because of a back injury.
“Just one of those days,” Bolt said. “I told you I’m not unbeatable. I did not train as hard as in past years, so I can’t complain. And it was Tyson Gay. My congratulations to him. I’m not in my best shape and he is in great shape.... I simply wasn’t ready enough for that clash.”
-- Chuck Schilken
Photo: Tyson Gay wins the men's 100 meters final ahead of Jamaica's Usain Bolt on Friday. Credit: Niklas Larsson / EPA
