Tyson Gay’s final shot at Olympic glory is approaching at breakneck speed. Despite technically being the second-fastest man in history, after a disheartening fourth-place finish in the 100m final in London, the American sprinter has nothing to show for it – at least not yet.
Gay’s problem is that his ascent to the top of the track world came just before Jamaican sensation Usain Bolt came into his current untouchable form – and was therefore short lived. Had he come along just a few years earlier, Gay’s name might be revered in the United States as the nation’s greatest track athlete.
In 2007, the year before the Beijing Olympics, Gay dominated the World Championships in very Bolt-like fashion. The American won gold medals in the 100m, 200m and the 4x100m events. He defeated both Asafa Powell, who was the world-record holder at the time, in the 100m, and a young Usain Bolt in the 200m, while the event was still his primary focus. Despite Bolt’s 6’5” frame towering above him on the podium, Gay performances stood tallest.
What a difference a year makes. A hamstring injury suffered at the 2008 Olympic Trials further hampered his performances and caused Gay to take a significant break leading up to the Games. Bolt’s emergence as a bonafide superhero ushered memories of Gay into the background. It was evident in Beijing that Gay was not in top shape or form and despite his impressive resume, he failed make it to the 100m finals for a chance to watch Bolt blaze history. To make matters worse, a dropped baton exchange between Gay and teammate Darvis Patton in the 4×100 resulted in a disqualification and left him medal-less.
Undeterred by his Olympic failure, Gay bounced back in 2009 by running the (then) second-fastest time in history in the 100m, matching Bolt’s blistering Beijing performance of 9.69s (Bolt had lowered his own WR mark to 9.58s). But again, injuries infiltrated his body and last year Gay was forced to undergo a painful hip surgery that could have ended his career.
It didn’t.
A humble, hard-working Gay flew under the radar, endured the painful rehab and a rushed, brutal training regimen to earn his way back to the Olympics. Despite being one of the top 200m runners in the world, he bypassed the race to lessen the stress on his battered body. The fourth-place finish, missing out on a medal by one one-hundredth of a second, was a crushing blow to Gay’s spirits. He broke down in tears. He couldn’t take it. At 30 years old, Gay knows his days as a top sprinter are numbered. That’s why he’ll be in prime focus this weekend as the 4x100m race is likely his last chance to earn a spot on the Olympic podium.
While the Jamaicans are favored for the gold, the loss of Asafa Powell due to injury has created an opening. But even if Bolt and Blake power the island team to another victory, Gay is determined to win a medal, any medal, and have something to show for the years of blood, sweat and tears he’s left on the track in honor of his country.
You can bet your last silver dollar that Gay and his Olympic teammates are in London right now, practicing handoffs in attempt to perfect the process that cost them dearly four years ago. In a Hollywood ending, Gay would power his team to the gold and make amends for past failures. But in the real world, the United States is probably fighting for silver, which might just be the perfect lining for Gay’s stellar but cloudy career.
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