27th June, 2012
Justin Gatlin and Tyson Gay served notice they will be ready to challenge Usain Bolt in the 100m event at the London Olympics, following their qualification for the Games with impressive times early this week.
Gatlin, the 2004 Olympic champion who could not defend his crown in Beijing while serving a four-year doping ban, won the 100 final at the US Olympic Track and Field Trials in 9.80 seconds, the third-best time in the world this year.
“I think there’s a lot left in the tank,” Gatlin warned.
“I was pleased with my time and the effort I left on the track.”
Gatlin, who won the world 60m indoor crown earlier this year, lowered his own season best from the 9.87 he ran to win in Doha last month and served notice he was aiming at reigning Olympic champion and world record-holder Bolt.
Gay, the former world champion who underwent hip surgery in 2011 and only ran two weeks ago after 50 weeks off, was second in 9.86 with Ryan Bailey third in 9.93 for the last London berth.
“I just wanted to make the team,” Gay said.
“That’s probably all I could ask for right now. I feel like I’m on the way up.”