Sprint star Gay impresses in Jamaica meet

KINGSTON - Agence France-Presse

United States’ sprinter Tyson Gay (C) wins the men’s 100-meter race at the national stadium, beating Jamaica’s Nesta Carter (R) and Davis Patton of US. AFP photo

US sprinter Tyson Gay laid down an impressive early-season marker on May 4, winning the 100m at the Jamaica Invitational athletics meeting in 9.86 seconds.

Gay, winner of the 100m, 200m and 4x10m world titles in 2007, recovered from a poor start to roar past Jamaican Nesta Carter, who finished second 17-hundredths of a second back. American Darvis Patton was third, 21-hundredths of a second behind the winner.

Gay became the first sprinter to run under 10 seconds in the 100m this season, which will be highlighted by the world championships in Moscow in August.

Gay, 30, is the second-fastest performer of all time in the 100m behind world record-holder Usain Bolt, who was slated to run the 200m at Kingston but pulled out with a hamstring strain.

Gay, hindered by injuries in recent years, said he feels better than he has in some time.

“I’m getting back to full fitness, but I am being very patient with it,” he said. “I am feeling good, the best I have been in a long while, and I am looking forward to Moscow and will give it all I’ve got.” In the women’s 100m, Jamaican Veronica Campbell-Brown, the 2012 Olympic bronze medalist, won in 11.01. American Allyson Felix, Olympic champion in the 200m in London last year, settled for fifth place (11.13).

Jamaican Nickel Ashmeade won the men’s 200m in a season-best 20.00sec, beating compatriot and 2012 Olympic bronze medalist Warren Weir and American Wallace Spearmon.

Jamaica’s Stephanie McPherson won the women’s 400m, lowering the world-leading mark for the third time this season with a time of 50.43. Britain’s Christine Ohuruogu was second in 50.58.