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"Off The Record"
A Blog by Jill
M. Geer
Thank you, Tyson Gay
Sunday, August 16, 2009
BERLIN - There is something about the World Championships men's 100-meter final that almost always makes me hold my breath. (The same can be said for the 4x100 relays, but for different reasons!) Of those I have seen in person, I can vividly recall feeling a sensation that was more intense than what I used to feel before my own competitions. It is adrenaline-fueled, heart-in-throat anticipation of a race whose result was utterly unknown.
In 1997, I was all a-twitter as the men lined up for the 100m final in Athens. Maurice Greene in that year had proven he was a man, if not THE man, to beat, but Canada's Donovan Bailey was still the world record holder and Olympic gold medalist. The image of Greene crossing the finish line, tongue hanging out, was the most memorable of that meet and became Greene's trademark.
After winning the 1999 world title and 2000 Olympic gold, as expected, Greene was still the favorite in 2001, although Tim Montgomery – later shown to be using drugs – had emerged as a contender. What I remember about that race is not the anticipation but watching, somewhat stunned, as Greene ran the most incredible first 60 meters the world has ever seen in the 100. It was so amazing, in fact, that his quad gave out on him. He then ran one of the most impressive final 30 meters in history, basically winning the race on one leg. He ran 9.82 seconds … into a headwind … to win. I will never forget his quote from a press conference the next day, when he explained the injury simply:
"I took my body to a place it wasn't ready to go."
In 2007, the heavyweight match-up was against the ascendant Tyson Gay and world record holder Asafa Powell of Jamaica. Tyson was probably considered an underdog. What I remember from that race was knowing Gay would win after the first 20 meters . He just got OUT. He was focused. Powell, in what has since become his championship-meet calling card, was not. Post-race interviews made Gay a favorite of the media, who left the interview scratching their heads. "What … is… this? A sprinter who confesses to worrying about letting people down? Who needs to speak to his mother on the phone to keep his nerves in check? Of wondering if he is worthy? A sprinter who not only is humble, but ADMITS to it?"
Watching each of Gay's races in 2009, the first 20 to 30 meters are clearly the most challenging part of getting to the finish line first. Running with a sore groin, he appears to have lost some power in the first half of the 100. He usually trails at least one, and sometimes 3 athletes at 40 meters. But he has been finishing very well.
All that said, in what universe could anybody expect a slightly injured athlete, even one as focused, determined and classy as Gay, to beat a healthy Usain Bolt? How is it fair to even HOPE that he could?
Because the world wants that competition, and we were all thrilled and impressed to see how incredibly well Gay bounced back from injury and disappointment in the 2008 Olympic year, when a strained hamstring kept him out of the Olympic final. Last year, he could only watch as Bolt obliterated the mold for what it means to be a great sprinter. To call Bolt the standard isn't fair to his competitors: he is another species.
So we hoped that Tyson could achieve the impossible. Or at least give Bolt a scare. Not because we don't like Bolt – he has drawn attention to track and field like no one since Carl Lewis – but because we love competition, and we love to see good people do good things.
On Sunday night at Olympic Stadium, Bolt kept rolling, improving his world record from Beijing. But he would not have gotten there without Tyson.
I was astounded when I saw Gay break from the blocks, essentially even with the rest of the field and just a hair behind Bolt, who was running in the lane to his left. Tyson kept it up through 50 meters, at which point I gasped.
For a split second, Tyson was starting to GAIN on the untouchable Bolt. Lest my eyes deceive me, the replay proved it so. It was the briefest of moments, but what a moment.
Bolt clearly felt Gay's approach, glancing at the American out of the corner of his widened eye, and put the pedal down. He accelerated to a world record 9.58 seconds, with Gay second in 9.71 to shatter his own American record. Powell – previously the second-fastest man in history - was third in 9.84.
Though Bolt preened and joked before the race, he was nothing but business for 9.58 seconds. He didn't have the time or the luxury to wave to the crowd, stretch out his arms and do everything but pop a champagne cork and text his friends en route to the finish line, as had been the case in Beijing.
On this night, he had to work for his medal, and his record.
Thank you, Tyson Gay, for being the X Factor in making that race the greatest 100 meters in history.
Thank you, Tyson Gay, for a stunning national record.
But most of all, thank you, Tyson Gay, for showing what a champion is. You took your aching body to a place it had no business going – to the cusp of a world record. The moment the gun went off, I was overwhelmed with pride for what I saw you doing. As you crossed that finish line, I was, and am, near tears. What you did was awesome, in the purest sense of the word.
Thank you for being Tyson Gay.
COMMENTS
Great job, Jill! I agree completely. Tyson deserves an "assist" for UB's 9.58. Today we witnessed one of the greatest moments in world sports history. I envy your eyewitness perch and cheer your quick summary of the moment. You captured a slice of time, and this truly was journalism -- "literature in a hurry." Best of luck in the marathon!
It is good to give excuses but bolt is just a freak!I bet no American will get below 9.60 in the next 100 years,or maybe, we shoud just start creating our own super-human guy in a lab!!!!
Tyson Gay ran his best race in the World Championships. You can't ask for anything more.
Tyson's performance was awesome. He looked focus before and during the race--giving what seemed to be his best. He was certainly articulate and gracious when he spoke during the post-race interview. Bottom line-when athletes give as he, the public, including me, can give more to support the USATF athletic program. Sign me up--A Proud USATF Fan
Question? Was Gay in the race in Beijing when Bolt eased up and ran 9.69. Please place credit where it is due. Technically, Bolt could have run an "eased-up" 9.69 and still beat 9.71 (Gay). Gay at his best , tail wind or not CANNOT run under 9.65 (dope free). Its is a biomechanics issue... so PLEASE let us at least try to remain OBJECTIVE
As a former collegiate sprinter. I have to commend Tyson Gay in his pursuit for excellence in the sport. He is doing it drug free and he is going against the best in the sport EVER. Tyson pushed Bolt. You can't argue that. I expect there is a 9.6 in Tyson before his career is over.
Thank you Tyson Gay? You just witnessed the legend that is usain bolt of Jamaica (not USA) and u write a main article about Tyson Gay. How typically american.
Tyson Gay did a damn good job,especially while having an injured groin. We must consider the fact that Tyson is about 7 inches shorter than Usain Bolt. I admire Tyson for his nice attitude. Usain is just down right cocky-not a good quality. I bet Nike still won't be calling Bolt. In my book, Tyson is the man-a good man.
Jill: Not surprised at your ability to bring to our home the excitement of the stadium. Your writing is a pleasure to read. Keep it up. Best to the gang. Brand
Im sorry but did you notice that Usain ran 9.58. NINE POINT FUCKING FIVE EIGHT. What the hell did Tyson Gay have to do with that. Enough with all the Tyson Gay fanboy commentary and give a proper unbiased report.
Because Bolt is not american, he's cocky...anybody remember Justin Gatlin, Maurice Green, Carl Lewis all cocky americans. But nobody complained.
Tyson gay had nothing to do with how bolt ran. If he slowed down like in Beiing Tyson still could beat him
Srry i meant could NOT beat him
Thanks for all the feedback. Please take note: it is my job NOT to be objective, and to be pro-American! :) Bolt's performance was astounding, but to be honest I was more surprised by Tyson's run than Bolt's. I had predicted Bolt would go under 9.60. Some posters here might miss my point: That Bolt IS in a separate universe, he is the greatest of all time, hands down. On this night, Gay gave him more of a race than anybody has, when Tyson himself was not at his best. And don't forget, I said it was the greatest 100m in history! It was great track and field by two great athletes. It's just that it is my job, and my privilege, to write about the American ones.
Thank you Jill. Great reporting and thanks for brining the atmosphere to life for the rest of us.
Fred
FYI: If you can't be objective then report on one athlete and one althlete only. As a scientist, comparison and reference to another without objectivity is considered "bad science".
Bolt didn't care if Tyson was in the race, he was looking around for Asafa. It's typical of American journalists to create the lead story about the deputy. Tyson is a madest person, but he does't possessed Bolt's talent, clear and simple. And, if you people can't see that you have to be living in a different world. There was no comettition for Bolt in that race, in the Olympic games he slowed down. In Berlin he simple just run longer, because he knew he could break the record anytime needed to.
Finally, this USTFA paper is controlled by the U.S. media personnel, you write the article to justify second place, but remeber; second place only belong to the loser,winning is the only thing, thus said, your Football legendary coach , V. Lambaudu... Don't try to wrap Bolt's performance in Tyson's cloth, they're notin the same class... Shame on these jounalists, we don't appreciate the alledged deceptions...
Very proud of Tyson Gay! And certainly happy for Usain Bolt. They brought out the best in each other today. Great, great race to watch.
very nice blog jill!
tayson runn the best he could and who knows this result might even be an official world record in the future, remember tim montgomary?
This is to HG. Nike wont need to call bolt because he is not a sell out and will always say PUMA, so NIKE could give him the world, he wont forget who believed in him.
As for Jill, its all good that you are trying to justify 2nd place but you need to be real and stop listening to what you hear people say. Bolt ran 9.69 while easing down without the help of Tyson Gay. so what made you think that he would have never achieved this feat again? Americans are biased against world achievements. And you cant believe that a little rock can produce runners that are unstoppable. When the USA was winning all this time no one was bashing them. Be happy for Jamaica's Achievement. because despite their economic situation. they at least can lift their heads at this moment and be happy without you trying to make it sour for them,
Thats my 2cents
Isn't it great to see all these negative, angry responses...to personal opinion.
What a wonderful ahole impulse the Internet creates in so many people.
Bolt won, we know that, big deal. God forbid someone appreciate another competitor in the race, or ALL of them.
You angry JAMAICAN idiots-- it must be you, need to get over the winner and only the winner mentality, without the rest of the athletes in the race, or the sport, there could never be champions or "winners."
And let's not forget, that, great as he seems to be...Bolt...the last 5 or so world record holders all ended up...drug positive.
If it seems to good to be true, it could be...we'll let history tell us.
Anyone who has ever competed knows you are only as good as your competitor. Usain Bolt is the most impressive 100m runner in history, and the world will see more great things from him. It is beyond doubt that without his performance, Usain would not have broken 9.6 today. Just as without Bolt, Gay would not have SHATTERED his person record, and the old american record.
Usain Bolt is on the forefront and rise of a great career, while it's no question Tyson Gay has already had a long and injury filled one. What's impressive is despite that, he was still able to push himself into another league, running the 3rd fastest time ever. He was able to push himself up against an unreal talent, and also proved that not only Bolt can run in that league.
I predict at least one more good matchup between the two, and I predict two performances below 9.7
Usain waiting on Nike to call? Hilarious as is some of the comments here. Usain cocky.. he very well may be so but I guess cockiness is a word not used to describe American athletes?
Maurice Green, self proclaimed G.O.A.T.? Gatlin, Crawford and Green with their antics in a heat not so long ago, Maurice Green having someone come out with a hose to spray water on his shoes because they were so on fire. I guess none of these actions constituted cockiness or maybe it is that the US takes track and field so lightly you all don't know the history of the sport not even the actions of your own country men? The latter I doubt so I guess it is just selective memory.
All in all this was a wonderfully written article, the timing on the other hand was poor in my opinion. Talk about Gay tomorrow, August 16th (same as last year in Berlin) belongs to Usain Bolt.
Oh please to say that Tyson is responsible for Bolt WR is so American, i am not surprise you would write something like that....all this talk about tyson being hurt...and he run his best time...i am sorry Jill you are full of it.
Great performance! It is so refreshing to see the best sprinters of our time go all out at one another and bring out the best in each. Bolt, Gay, and Powell were all winners in my book today. That was truly something special to see. Great article Jill!
The best race a runner will ever run is when their heart is overflowing with love. Right on target Jill; eyes on the best prize of all.
This is the USATF website. United States of America Track and Field website. That's why the focus of thr article is about Tyson Gay and not Usain Bolt. So to say that its typical for American journalists to write about an American on the American website seems like you might want to go to the Jamaican website. Then you can read about Usain Bolt. I hope this help you understand better. You seemed like you need some help.
Can someone find out what drugs Usain Bolt is taking and send me some. I'm sure everyone wants to know what he's on
jimmy smithson, Usain is on a drug called hard work. Pity that only a select US track athletes like Gay know that this is not a secret drug however if you want to believe that a 3rd world country ridden by violence where the majority of Government funds goes towards debt servicing is able to produce some secret drug that no other athlete can get his hands on then go right ahead but at the end of the day don't hold your breath waiting on hearing Usain being caught doping but I guess when you are beaten that badly you have to grab at straws for an explanation.
Cheers and know that more is to come from Jamaican athletes, the rivalry continues :)
Jill, on what universe are you living? Please quit rationalizing "injury" to be the reason Gay did not win!He did his best out there, he said so himself, so who are you to say otherwise. USA is not the only country that can strike gold in track and field meet. You are need to accept defeat graciously and go back and train some more. Jamaican track stars are spotted early in the country, as early as elementary grade level and they are trained ardently from then onwards. There is no doubt that Gay ran an awesome race, be proud of him and stop rationalizing.
As an American you are expected to celebrate your own. Tyson Gay ran a good race. Many Jamaicans congratulated him on his run. The fact is that the rest of the world is able to recognize and appreciate that Tyson Gay is no match for Usain Bolt, injured or fit. The sooner the americans realize that and get caught up with the rest of the world, they will forever player hate. Just remember you dont have to tear down Usain to congratulate Gay.
As you say, you're writing for US track and field, so as a Jamaican and a journalist, I have no problem with your article...people get too emotional sometimes. As you say, Bolt is in a class by himself, and Tyson gets an A for effort. If Asafa learns to focus, he'll beat him as well, though, fit or not. (Say hi to Dr. Rudolph Mason for me)
Usain Bolt is JAMAZING!!!
Tyson Gay in a good, better or injured state is NO test for the great lightening Bolt.
Jill I must say, your love for Tyson and America is obvious however the fact of the matter is: CLASS IS CLASS!! We Love Bolt!! (I'm Jamaican!)
Jill, I'm eager to hear if there are any other athletes we sent over there that make you hold your breath. Any other World Championship events that stir you to recap on this website. There are some members of this organization who resent the overblown coverage that the shortest event gets.
Jill, its funny you recount your job as reporting on the Americans...You should stick to doing just that and leave my country men out your sorry excuse for journalism. How dare you imply that Usain's outstanding showing was wrought by the presence of Tyson Gay? You shouldn't have gone there! Typical American trait, thinking itself as the ultimate world power. How many times do ya'll need to be proven wrong, dead wrong, how many times?? I pray Gay's groin well, if only because I would love for the Lightening Bolt to have the opportunity to cream him yet again. I would love to see what factor you would attribute to the performance of the sprint genius that is USAIN BOLT - JAMAICAN TO DI WORLD!
NIKE???OH PLEASE! We are proud and very satisfied with our PUMA association, after all its roots are JAMAICAN! Nike is yours and is suited perfectly for the # 2's in the world of Track and field.
As for the comment about Usain's cocky-ness... that is not cocky-ness silly, its called confidence, confidence, just plain ole confidence... love us or hate us but NEVER question our prowess and attribute our successes to anything less than our hard work and determination!!!!!
For those naysayers who want to suggest Usain is on drugs. Let me first quote a popular saying on the island "The heights by great men reached and kept, were not attained by sudden flight, but they while their companions slept, were toiling upwards through the night". Contrary to what a lot of Americans think, Bolt did not appear on the scene in 2008, he has been breaking records from the early age of 14 and still holds world junior records to this day. Usain has a natural gift and coupled with hard work, good coaching
and lots of support and now we the lovers of track and field are reaping the benefits. Today is bigger than
rivalries and wanting to downplay the accomplishments of another country; a 22 year has saved the sport and track and field and has reclaimed interest in a sport that was dying and for that I say thank you Bolt.
On the contrary, Jill Usain and Asafa (moreso Asafa) pushed Gay to go faster and not the other way around. Bolt did not have to "work hard" for his victory, it came easily, there was no competition.
jimmy dean smithson, Usain's drug of choice is hard work and determination, backed by huge helpings of yam, cassava, cornmeal dumplings, steamed fish, jerk chicken with some irish moss to drink. Healthy meals that provide energy and stamina. You can get them at a Jamaican restaurant anywhere in the US.
Well, nothing really suprises me about Bolt anymore, dont forget this kid run 45.3 400m as a 16 yr old, his progression is as would be expected, the best of his is yet to come. Good luck to Tyson guy, i would like to see him give Bolt a run for his money.
I read this article as have many others written about todays 100m final. I can appreciate that Jill is simply doing her job i.e writing for the USATF, and casting the USA's athletes in the best light possible, which requires excercise of bias. Kindly note that we (whatever nationality) are biased, we see things through our lense, and that in and of itself results in bias. I do find it interesting however that Jill found it fit to tie Usain's win to Tyson's second ; I do beleive that Tyson can be commended, without trying to cloak the winnner's run in the runner up's effort, more correct would be the winner pulling the second place finisher to the best performance of his life. On Usain's "cockiness" Jill is mistaken, showmanship, a thorough display of confidence, yes. To even intimate that an athlete who has had the support of a brand in everyway, since he has been a junior plagued with injuries, and to many running way below his potential, would welcome, or would want, or would look at another brand is nonsensical; and smacks of moneylust; which is atypical of the free-market mentality of developed nations (unfortunately) like the United States.
Oh, BTW, Asafa agravated his groin in the semis, yes he did not run under his PB; but you don't hear comments of him saying, oooh my groin, like Tyson. I typically like Tyson, but this, or rather how some of the US press is portraying this has me shaking my head in dismay.
1. This opinion is on the money. For the first time, Bolt ran an end-to-end race. This is because he respects Tyson. Why do you think he looked for him 4 times during the race? Without Tyson, anything other than that time was possible.
2. Tyson Gay is one of the great class acts in this, or any, sport. He's humble, gracious, and a bewilderingly, stunningly great athlete. Anyone who thinks he doesn't have a sub 9.6 time in him is dead wrong. You can and should be in awe of what Bolt did today, but if you think this is the end of the story, you don't get what's going on here.
3. I hope for track that Bolt is clean. Unfortunately, these times and the whole scenario have that Ben/Carl feel to them. I want to be wrong, and I hope I am.
4. I have researched the statistics on this fact carefully, and it will serve any track fan to pay attention to this: if you were born on the island of Jamaica, you are much more likely to end up a cheater using PED's than if you were born in the United States.
Jamaica's incidence per-capita of PED use is significantly higher.
"I have researched the statistics on this fact carefully, and it will serve any track fan to pay attention to this: if you were born on the island of Jamaica, you are much more likely to end up a cheater using PED's than if you were born in the United States. Jamaica's incidence per-capita of PED use is significantly higher. "
Are you kidding me? This is by far the lowest attempt at belitteing the accomplishment of another man/country I have ever seen, that comment was just distasteful even by American standards.
Get over your damn selves
I cannot understand why the US always find excuses whenever they lose a race. Tyson Gay lost and that is a fact. Congratulations on his new American (NOT World) record.
well, he probably ran end to end bc he knew judging from Beijing he could nail another record. I remember really supporting Justin gatlin about his his doping case , until Usain tests positive, its merely unfounded speculation, i dont think he could taken drugs when he was 14 yrs old bc he was still a freak for his age
Michael, since you're so pathetically incapable of objectivity, I will post the facts here for you in the next few days. Stay tuned, and grow up. The fact is that Jamaica has 2 million people, and the US quite a bit more. Get a grasp of the numbers, and come back in a few days. Until then, you're part of the problem.
If we should talk about cheating, the Americans have it down pact to the tee. Just one name I wish to mention: Florece Griffiths-Joyner. There was (and probably still is) so much banned substances in her system that TIME magazine noted the some of the female athletes at the Seoul Olympics obviously needed a shave. Give me a break about Jamaican athletes are more likely to use PED's! Even so, the American disguise it better (Marion Jones)!!!!
Deeg How many Jamaican runners have neen suspended or lost their medals due to PEDs or banned substances. Have you ever been to Jamaica? You need to see the conditions on which these athletes train. They get their start running over hills and valleys. You are welcome to visit during our track and field season to see lots of high school students in their glory, some running even faster than Bolt. Some people are gifted and talented. Have you ever thought of that? I am sure you have never been on a flight overseas, have you? Think about that!
Jill great article...what these simple minded people don't understand is yes Usain Bolt is the fastest man best sprinter the world has seen nobody has said he was not but none of you can seriously say that Tyson Gay had nothing to do with it...bull...had Tyson not been in the race you would have seen the same effort from Bolt that we saw at the Olympics, he would have slowed down well before the line and show-boated like he always does...and this crap about him looking for Asafa is bull he was way behind Bolt and Gay without Tyson in the race we would not have seen the world record being broke because of the type of personality that Bolt has he is a showman he would have done the same thing he did at Berlin that he did in the Olympics...
Tyson Gay pushed his ass and made him actually put his best effort into this race overall bolt won the race but the way Tyson's morale makes him the better athlete...and when he gets 100 you better believe that man can run 9.6 just like nobody expected Bolt to run a 9.69 in the Olympics
Tonight we all had an opportunity to witness two great sprinters go head to head in the fastest one two finish in history!For the Jamaican's who have commented negatively regarding Tyson on this USA website blog you should write some comments on your own Jamaican website. What the hell do you think we are going to say about our homeboy Tyson who made us proud. He ran 2nd at 9.71!!in front of your other boy Asafa.
Jamaica: population 2,804,332
US: population 304,059,724
Estimated number of historic drugs cases, athletics, of any type and status:
-Jamaica, 16 cases:
Incidence: 0.000570 percent of the population isin a doping case.
-US: 65:
Incidence: 0.000021 percent of the population is in a doping case.
Impact:
The US volume of drugs cases is 3.7 percent of the Jamaican total!
Jill, I think you did a great job. All the bashers of your article should come to the realization that this is an American website; hence Pro-American feedback. If people want objective feedback, check out CNN or something (if that can be called objective).
I think Tyson did a great job on a bad groin he's been running on the entire season. If people think that Tyson won't go under 9.70, think again!!! He'll have surgery and come back next year.
I have absolutely no negative to say about Usain or Tyson. Usain is bringing back the excitement to the sport and Tyson is the great challenger; this is how it should be
Deeg, and this proves your point. You have got to be kidding me. You need to put on your jogging shoes and go exercise, it clears the mind and is beneficial to the body.
Deeg, in all fareness to the Jamaicans, you can't look at the entire population in relation to drug cases in Track & Field. You have to look at the track & field populations of both countries and then determine the ratio. Usain is great; he's been running under 20 in the 200m since he was 18. However....Yohan Blake who trains with Usain has just been caught doping. I hope I'm dead wrong on this, that Usain is clean.
I thought you were innocent until proven guilty. I remain a proud Jamaican and for the record we do not support drug cheats of any nationality. Check the pulse anytime you want in Jamaica. If you check Bolt's progress it was clear from early that once he started serious training he would do the 'spectacular'. Just one thing that is confusing - there is a suggestion that 9.58 is not humanly possible i.e. it must be drug assisted but then there is the talk that Gay has a 9.60 in him. Very enlightening coming from the USA.
if usain bolt is on drugs(which hopefully he's not) then tyson gay and the rest of the runners are also on drugs. SIMPLE AS THAT.
Usain, Asafa and di whole of JAMAICA a tek it to di worl! Tek we a tek it to dem! CONGRATS TEAM JA!
pure non sense, im an american but asafa is clearly different person and if he wasnt running on one leg tyson would not have seen him, we americans love to find excuse for things bolt is just great.... We need to go to jamaica and eat thier yam
This is crazy. There are a million articles about Usain Bolt already and one gets written about Tyson Gay and folks go crazy. Thanks for the article Jill, it was great, and as a huge Tyson Gay fan it spoke to me and that was a good thing. But reading and appreciating an article about Tyson Gay doesn't take anything away from Usain Bolt. What is there to say that hasn't already been said or isn't being said by anyone else? Tyson Gay doesn't have anything negative to say about Usain Bolt so why do the rest of you Jamaican's? Confused. Jill didn't say anything bad about Usain (please re-read if you're not sure) but she did give another athlete credit for running a great race. It's just not this serious. Though I do have 2 points: 1) Asafa Powell could / would never be more than 3rd best. Something is missing in him, and he will age out before he figures it out though I think that Usain Bolt has been good for him. 2) All the Balco mess started with one Jamaican coach. Point being, we've all had athletes that disappointed us, don't act like Jamaica is immune to that. You're not.
Can't we appreciate that both men ran the race of their lives and both deserve credit for their individual and combined (best 100m competition in history). Christian Cantwell won the shot put but i wanted Majewski to win. But none of you give a rats ass because their throwers and they don't deserve to get any recognition. But maybe you should stop to think that maybe all the field people don't give a shit about what you think because in their opinion they get no respect and should give none back. Its been like this for years. Its all about opinions. you don't care because i'm a thrower, so why should you care about anyones opinion at all. everyone else sees you in the same light that you see them in so stop fighting and agree to disagree. JESUS. Great article by the way it was well written and delivers a point of view that all should appreciate.
well i would like to say the event today between, tyson gay and bolt was nice, but i feel that the cockiness that bolt have at the line up was really uncall for, for what i can see tyson gay was getting hisself in focus, and u have bolt and asafa dancing and playing around is not professional at all, yes bolt won and i am happy for him, but i still give tyson gay alot of credit for going out there and continue to run with the injury that he have. he still broke a record and that is still good for being injuryed. well tyson gay have a couple more races unless he decided to pull out , but i still think that he will do better then what he did today. things happen for a reason and it just was not tyson time, but he did a wonderful job today running and keeping the united states in the event. thanks tyson gay, and keep up the good work, we love and u done a dame good job today. haters is going to be haters, so just get ready for the next two events. fyi if we really fine out that bolt is doping, he just have to give up his crown and handed over to the number #1 running tyson gay.
Thanx Jill! Like someone said, the internet is filled up with news about Bolt. Let Tyson's fans air out their opinions too! Tyson's been amazing all season, and you better believe Usain based his prep on doing better than Gay. No-one is making excuses, Tyson certainly didn't, otherwise he would have dropped out . That he ran in pain and still put out his life-time best(wind-legal) is outstanding. Infact more than the time, its the way he ran that gave me total satisfacation. What an honor to be able to witness such things in track and field.
I still believe Tyson Gay can run Bolt time. He has to work on his start. We will see the 200m !!!. And please don't tell me that Usain does not take any stuff !!! Thank you Tyson for beeing an athlete, I wonder if Usain could have won or even ran with a groin injury !!!
I don't know. I still think that the 1991 World Championship 100m final was the greatest of all time.
Again there is a lot of misinformation being spread about. I speak from a Jamaican on the ground perspective and Tyson is well respected as an athlete in Jamaica. We concede that he has the measure of Asafa but Usain has his 'ticket'. disapointed - it seems you have misunderstood my comment (it was not aimed at Jill) you cannot logically say 9.58 is impossible without being drug enhanced then go on to say Tyson can run 9.60 drug free.
Response to Thrower: Thanks so much for chiming in. I am a HUGE fan of our throwers (in fact on Thursday night I was hanging out with John Godina, Dan Taylor, Jake Freeman and Don Babbitt), and I very seriously don't think I've ever met a thrower I don't like. ... be on the lookout for a throws-centered blog later in the championships. Christian did an amazing job Saturday night of coming through when the heat was on. I was proud of all three guys for opening with 21m. Obviously, they weren't going to have another Beijing in terms of not coming close to throwing up to their potential (Cantwell included). It was great to see Christian so happy, and making good on his incredible ability and incredible size!!!!
I can't understand why it is such a big deal that Jill actually acknowledged that someone else in the race did somwething astonishing. He broke the American record which is an incredible feat. You can always tell whenh a person isn't acustomed to winning b/c they tend to lack grace in victory. (Not referring to Bolt; just to his supporters that can't stand for anyone (other than Bolt) to be acknowledged.
Thank you Jill for the well-written and inspirational (for a fellow American) article. There are too few athletes for our young people to be proud of, from any country. The showboating, trash talk, etc., all detract from the beauty of sport, and Usain adds to that detraction, regardless of what his country men and women wish to post here and elsewhere. As for the obvious bias...this is an American site and should hold a bias for our own athletes. If you would check the Jamaican websites, I'm fairly certain they do not offer our athletes the headlines, despite the fact we generally beat them in nearly every competition that exists. Their desire to bash America is amusing, considering that the majority of their "top" athletes come here for college. Why don't they stay home in Jamaica for the furthering of their education? Perhaps there is true objective discourse in the US? Perhaps because the US can offer them what these loud mouthed posters from their homeland cannot ? For a variety of reasons, including the modesty and sportsmanship of Tyson Gay, we have reason to be proud.
Congrats to All the athletes that made the finals, but all this talk about Bolt doping and hoping he isnt. What if Tyson Gay is Doping?.... Hmmm i wonder what would they say to that. Tyson Gay is reaching his Peak and it will be going Downhill for him after next year. His body wont be the same anymore, so he has a little time to try and get to sub 9.7. Asafa's Body is nearing his peak as well. i think he can go sub 9.7 as well but time is against them both at this stage in the game. The possibilities are endless for Usain if he remains drug free for the next 6 years. We have seen some talented young guys coming out the woodword Yohan Blake is one and those who are saying he is doping. PLease check the drug he is accused of taking. It is not a Banned substance, it was removed from the list of Banned substances. but he will bounce back. Congrats to Tyson for the race of his life, but his groin gives out too easily and i think its because he i pushing his body to its limit, it wont hold up. I understand that its a Pro US website but some of the comments by Americans will have us jamaicans Reeling to settle the score. its available for free comments so expect people to get upset. Jill i want you to write and article on Usain Bolts Performance, Just Because.
All it is is just pure naivety on the part of the Americans. You should be proud of your athlete but stop making excuses. This man is not a mere fluke, he works and whether or he had to run hard to break his record, the fact still remains Tyson Gay still hasn't broken the old one of 9.69 sec.
you america hating clowns are a joke.For someone to say that bolt could have eased up and beaten tyson is just stupid.Bolt eased up in china because he COULD,he didn't ease up in germany because he COULDN'T.Tyson is being commended for competing like a champion.Jills article disrespects no one.If you clowns feel disrespected or think the americans are trying to some how one up bolt ,then it is clear who's doing the hating.This anti-American sentiment is a joke.Last time I checked tysons 9.71 makes him the number two man in HISTORY,not just this race.To think(wishfully) that powell can somehow beat gay is a joke.Check the times,gay beat powell as badly as bolt beat gay.Gay is slightly injured,but were he not he still wouldn't be able to beat bolt,just as powell(and the rest of the sprinters)can't beat gay.Powells chances of beating gay are no better than gays chances of beating bolt.Gay pushed bolt,and thats a fact.live with that knowledge stupid-ass america haters.
Jill you have done an excellent job with the article. People are always trying to create some form of division whether it be between countries, race, social class etc. The mere fact that Bolt was able to push himself to an amazing world record is solely due to his own acknowledgement that Gay is a formidable competitor. Though Bolt is in a class of his own, that shouldn't stop anyone from praising Tyson Gay for his amazing accomplishment. Bolt has accomplished Times that we can't even fathom but Tyson Gay has done the same thing. Can we please give Tyson credit for his outstanding Times, Class and poise. Everyone has their own personalities and Bolt's clowning and playfulness is great because that is who he is. Tysons more serious approach is great because that is who he is. I believe that Both deserve praise for tapping into their God given abilities and providing a race to be remembered for ages!!!!!
GO THROWERS!
In horseracing there are handicaps. Why not in athletics. Usain Bolt at 6 feet 5 inches is a giant with a huge stride and therefore has a distinct advantage over all other sprinters. Actually Tyson Gay's legs run faster than Bolt's but he has the disadvantage of being relatively smaller.The only way someone is going to beat Bolt is to have the same length of leg. Those responsible for chosing sprinting talent in the U.S.A. will need to look for these qualities. As Former World Sprint Champion Linford Christie has often said "A good big one will always beat a good little one".
This is rediculous!!! Tyson Gay runs an American record 9.71 seconds and you Prejudice Jamaicans get mad because an American journalist writes about him??? I'm very sure your Jamaican journalist won't be writing about Tyson Gay!!! You guys are soooo hateful towards americans!!! Don't hate me cause you ain't me!! You guys were under Britans rule so let them write articles about Bolt! I remember Penn Relays this year when the Kenyan DMR Relay beat the American Relay and all the Jamaicans in the stadium cheered like crazy just because they were beating the USA. It's funny how all the caribbean folks come to the USA for school and to live because of the opportunities but will critisize and talk negative about americans. You sound like terrorist! If you hate the USA that much then stay home in your island and don't come! We are not your oppressors!!! If Tyson Gay would've ran 9.58 you guys would've been screeming drugs but take Bolt who's only run the 100 meters for a year and he does it you feel nobody should question it because this is your first chance at glory!! I never hate on Jamaica or any island. We're all from the same place as Black People....they just dropped you off the boat sooner than they did me. So why can't we get along and keep the competition on the track and stop bitching!
And another thing.........I see one of you guys above saying tyson gay's groin won't hold up?? Well if you didn't know ..sprinting is an explosive event. It takes a lot of force and strain on your body to run that fast. All sprinters get hurt. I haven't heard of Bolt having any type of injuries except his lil fender bender over the last two years! Makes me wonder....those drugs do make you heal fast like nothing was ever wrong!! Tyson got hurt....Powell got hurt...why not Bolt? Before last year his body has never gone to those limits...so why hasn't he had any strains or pulls? Go figure!!!
Many of the comments are so American. After the recent mention of an almost 'state sponsored' drug program in the States before the build-up to LA 84, one would wonder if it was maybe deemed necessary for Americans not to shoot their mouth off about drugs and athletes.
After the comments of Al Data above I'm almost convinced that Jamaicans and Americans as a whole will never get along! Your comment is sooo Jamaican! I'm sure to bet that you live in the USA don't you Al Data? Noboday said you had to live here! This is rediculous! I just read an article from the Jamaican newspaper site which gave all praises to Usain Bolt.....with no mention of Tyson Gay! Am I mad about that...heck no...why should I be?? So why are you Jamaicans mad because an american journalist gave praise to our american record holder??? I have one word...HYPOCRITE!!!!
We love the feedback, but please take drug allegations to another message board. The point of this blog was to celebrate great athletic and personal achievement. There are loads of places on the internet that specialize in fostering drug speculation. Please don't do it here. It tends to go south very fast when that starts happening.
Well said Jill, Tyson ran a great race and it was good to see him run one of the best races I have ever seen him run.
check out usain on wikipedia, he is a word record holder at 9 yrs old to now at age 23. its not a yesterday thing. tyson gay is a champion in his own right we jamaicans love him , he is a competitor and we jamaican love competitors. but bolt is a born champion and is the best ever. tyson gay is the best america produce and we jamaican respect him, cause he is changing america image (doping offenders) and we respect him so thumps up to gay but usain bolt is impossible. usain can break the 400m record if he wants and long jump if he wants.
Jill, I agree with you 100 percent. Bolt's race was astonishing. Truly dominating. A display. But I also so appreciated what Tyson did. Can you imagine how intimidating it must have been to go up against a guy who partied his way through a 9.69? Not only that, Tyson had had two bad starts in the heats and semis, and he knew he could NOT do that and be in the race in the final. What did he do? Slammed the start, smashed his PR and the American record, and acted like a gentleman after the race. Incredible. And say what you want, but Bolt absolutely was aware of Tyson and his greatness. That look to the right said it all.
Blood is being kept for 8 years. Bolt will get caught.
Jill, I appreciated the article for what it said. We as Americans are proud of our athletes. To break an American record in the 100m is no small task as is the breaking of the world record by Bolt. Hats off to both those guys. I think that both are great for the sport. And I wouldn't consider Bolt cocky, by any means. He hasn't mocked any of his opponents ever that I have seen. He's just having a good time. I hope this rivalry continues for a few more years so we can see some amazing races!
tyson gay ran an incredible 100 race.its truely one of the greatest american sports achievments ,ever.young americans&athletes globally can look up to,for a role model.
tyson,u can run 9.6 or faster-10.3/19.2-&43.00@400m.-
always reach for the stars,god bless,u make americans everywhere proud.!!
entire-NORDITALIA-ATHLETICS-FAMILY
Thank you Jill, for publicly saying what my family did in our living room yesterday. We are so proud of Tyson Gay. He didn't let all the foolishness on either side of him derail what he came to do on the track. Usain Bolt is amazing, but he's also yound and immature - I don't have an excuse for Asafa Powell. Tyson Gay was professional and made America proud. He was humble and respectful afterwards and I couldn't have been prouder of him. His performance was more than I could have asked for. USATF should make him the face of American Track & Field. He's this image all track and field athletes should immulate. Congratulations Tyson!
Honestly, I have never heard such patriotic drizzle in my entire life.
ill just touch on one point. bolt didnt and doesnt need gay, didnt need him for 9.69 in beijing, didnt need him for 9.58.
Thank you Jill, for publicly saying what my family did in our living room yesterday. We are so proud of Tyson Gay. He didn't let all the foolishness on either side of him derail what he came to do on the track. Usain Bolt is amazing, but he's also young and immature - I don't have an excuse for Asafa Powell. Tyson Gay was professional and made America proud. He was humble and respectful afterwards and I couldn't have been prouder of him. His performance was more than I could have asked for. USATF should make him the face of American Track & Field. He's this image all track and field athletes should emulate. Congratulations Tyson!
Thanks Jill for putting the drug pushing discussions where it belongs - in the trash. As a Jamaican I salute Tyson as a great athlete. You should know that he is always invited and welcomed at our Annual Invitational track meet. The reception he get (when he has visited) shows that genuine track and field fans understand and respect the greatness of the man. The problem is taht we have several 'internet fans' that speak/spread stupidity/anger/division when they do not have first hand experience of what it takes for these athletes to compete. You should note that the clean athletes support each other.
Do you people realize that neither one of these individuals improve your personal position in life. A lot of you are on hear yapping as if Bolt win is yours, whats with the anger. Read the article for what it is and move on. Find some personal victory in your own life to be proud of and quite bitching. Ones joy for their fellow country men dose not dimension yours, and thats how people are taking it. Damn get a life. It was a Great race by all, look at the Times from 1st place and down. GREAT RACE PERIOD. Just appreciate that.
Jill...what a great article. By far, this was the greatest 100 meter race I've ever witnessed. Usain Bolt is awesome and deserves all the credit he's getting. From what I can see he's having fun and bringing recognition to a sport that surely needs it...after all the scandals. Tyson Gay is also a phenomenal athlete and should be commended for such an outstanding performance. But before crowning someone the greatest of all timelet's see how Usain fairs over time. Remember how everyone wanted to crown a young Mike Tyson before disaster struck.
As a former world class athlete in the 80's I just love watching a good race I'm proud of both men we need that kind of competition to bring interest back to our sport that's dying here in America bashing you as a reporter is just stupid
To all you ppl that have never stepped on a track plz HUSH. He is an American blogger so why in the world would he write about Bolt? Yes he won and is probably the best ever to do it. You Jamaicans write about him. Yes Bolt is a Beast and I dont think he's cocky at all just plays a little. Usain has just figured out how to run that fast to be so tall, he's 7inches taller than Tyson, we give credit where its do so give tyson credit, Gay pushed bolt and he said so himself. This Is an excellent blog Jill. Tyson is injured but didnt make not one excuse. Ive been running track for over 15 years and i have ran hurt so many times and did my best but made my injury worst. So you guys can say what cha want Tyson is a great example of athlete and so is Usain.
The famous distance runner Steve Prefontaine once said "To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift." I have seen Bolt run races where he had it won, so he slowed down and showboated instead of pushed the envelope for the absolute best. I respect his talent but I have a hard time respecting anything less than one's best in any moment, in any sport. If you can be best in the world, be absolute best, each time you possibly can. Anything else sacrifices the gift.
Seriously, I am shocked that this article was even written. It is the archetypal, American-biased bullshit that turned coverage of track and all other major sports in a love story about the American dream. At some point, objectivity and love for the sport has to take precedence and re-enter the arena. I hope the slow leveling of the playing field and the dominance of other countries in areas where the love stories were strongest (in the past) ushers in another era where each athlete's talent is recognized for what it is. A victory for Bolt should never be cast or put in the light of a supporting nod for Gay. Just like a victory for Greene was not cast or sold as a supporting nod for Asafa Powell. Fair is fair. If you wrote that story for all 2nd place finishers, then my entry would not be necessary, but you don't.
Thank you, Tyson Gay for the greatest race in my history. As an American you made me proud! Keep training hard because I have faith in you. To all Jamaican,I would love to read in your country paper great things about Gay. That never will happen.So We as Americans write and give honor to Our own.Dont hate Us for that. I enjoy watching Bolt and wish only good things for him.Tyson please continue to be you. Good things are in your future.(200)kick Ass!
As an American let me simply say congratulations Bolt and Jamaica. You have much to be proud of. I have been to your Country several times. I have walked through Kingston and seen some of what your athletes rise above. Congratulations on every level. Bolt needed only his drive to accomplish what he did.
As an American let me simply say congratulations Bolt and Jamaica. You have much to be proud of. I have been to your Country several times. I have walked through Kingston and seen some of what your athletes rise above. Congratulations on every level. Bolt needed only his drive to accomplish what he did.
Its interesting how much "feedback" this article has gotten. The article is not Bolt vs. Gay; it merely states the bloggers point of view, even if one considers it a biased point of view, I'm sure we can all appreciate the need to do a specific job, afterall this is the USAtf website. Gay is respected in T&F as is Bolt, different personalities, great athletes. Gay should be commended for a new AR, which is a feat. In competing, athletes step out on the track and aim to rise to meeting thier goals, if the goal is winning, then it means outjumping, throwing etc. the competition. In that frame, all persons must aim to do better than the competitor. In that sense, Gay's run was because of Asafa, Asafa's run because of the fourth place, and the as the person who comes first must run faster than the first,in that sense, one could say Bolt ran fast because of Gay, as Gay ran fast because of Asafa. The Athletes will tell you that they step out and their running their lane, and concentrate on running the way they know how, not dicatated by anyone else, and so they should be credited for their performance, not anyone esle; but competition involves outdoing the competitors.....Lets just accept that all athletes in the final deserves Kudos, ALL. Jill the statement on cockiness and Nike was in poor taste though.
Please lets not get hotheaded, the name calling is very distateful and evidences poor sportsmanship, and poor character -Now we wouldn't want that being said of either Americans or Jamaicans. Let cool heads reign.
You know wats sooo funny Americans hate to lose or admit to when they lose...the damn world is not revovled around america give props when they r suppose to be given...Bolt is one of the best sprinters...if TYSON GAY put soo much pressure on Bolt why didnt he break the record and win the race?..he got second suck it up and be happy instead of whinning like a bunch of brats who didnt come first...and as for the drugs that were found in the other jamaican runners WAS NOT ILLEGAL...and last time i check MARION JONES WAS taking DRUGS THAT WAS ILLEGAL...so people get over urself and just congratulate the man for being the fastest because without Gay he can run a 9.5 or better without pressure..so Jill get over it athletes get injured ALL the time...cause Bolt was in a car accident which left the car totaled he still ran ..so now prove ur point..
AS USAIN BOLT SAID IN HIS POST RACE INTERVIEW THAT HE WAS NOT COMPETING AGAINST TYSON GAY BUT THE OTHER SEVEN COMPETITORS. AMERICANS MAY FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE BUT JAMAICANS DO SUPPORT AND APPRECIATE TYSON GAY. COME ON AMERICANS, STOP MAKING EXCUSES FOR LOSSES. YOU MARKET VERY WELL SO YOU CAN ALL LOOK GOOD BUT WE KNOW WHAT IS BEHIND IT ALL.
Man there are some nasty Jamaicans on here. I remember as an American, I would always pull for Miss Ottey. I wanted her to get a Gold Medal but she'll be always known as the bronze queen. Gay an a great race and pushed his body beyond it's limits. I guess there are some people that just appreciate that.
I'm americamn and jamaican.i love usain bolt and tyson gay.there's no doubt the gay helped push usain to the world record.usain said so.what bothers me is how jamaican celebrations seem tainted with as much anti american sentiment as revelling in bolt's accomplishment.its the same celebratory chorus you hear from those with inferiority complexes.And Jamaicans have nothing to feel inferior about.But when you've been dominant and a world power in everything like the usa has,people love to see the king fall down.But I'm glad they finally have a real drug testing program in Jamaica after all these years.
It is all good and well that Tyson ran an american record but the fact still remains that Usain ran a WORLD record. Americans you guys need to be more objective. Why am I gonna congratulate a man for losing? As for the guy above who thinks that jamaicans need PED, you need to know your facts and stop chatting crap.
Bad mind ago kill unno! Usain no need Tyson cause even if he had slowed down tyson still couldn't beat Usain. TO DI WORL
well done Tyson. He had his time at the top unfortunately there is a new king of the sprints.
The attitude held by many Jamaicans is that they're "above doping" and it's all "mountain yams and hard work". That fake naivete is OVER. The NUMBERS tell a different story, especially NOW that FIVE MORE Jamaicans are under scrutiny for PEDs. That brings the total since my original point above to 18 (eighteen) Jamaican-born track athletes who have been involved in doping. As far as the national populations of the US and Jamaica go, this even FURTHER emphasizes my point: Jamaica has a FAR, FAR greater frequency of drug cheats per capita. Period. End of story. You want to change the perception, then change the numbers. The US has CLEANED it's sport. We're CATCHING the cheats. JADCO? Still a closed system.
The only striking reversal in the last two years in the world sprints is Jamaica's rise to the top in the 100 and 200 and the US's assumption of second place. It is positively no coincidence that the US has aggressively targeted dopers and JADCO has not over the last 2 years. When Jamaica takes the steops that the US has in cleaning the sport, we'll see who's on top.
OK now that usain broke another record and done it without tyson gay "pushing" him what are you gonna say? and FYI the so called PED that the latest athletes got in tourble for is not a PED learn to read. It has been removed from the PED list because its only Clears your airways to allow you to breathe deeper and get more air in your lungs. this is not like steroids that USA has been plagued with. NO jamaican has served a long ban as any American in track and field. If you know anything about jamaican sports. which top athlete that WON ANY MEDALS was DQ for drugs? do the math USA has more top ranked athletes tested positive for PEDs
deeg - we do not encourage or tolerate cheaters. If you were to follow the sentiments of Jamaican on the 5 persons in question you would understand that they are not being 'protected' by the fans. What ever the final outcome of the appeal they have lost a lot of respect in Jamaica.
Can we all take a breather and develop some sportsmanship??????!!!!!!!!!!!!! Goodness. Do you hear that athletes carrying on like you guys are doing on this Blog??? Just celebrate and enjoy what they do. END OF STORY.
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Jill
M. Geer is Chief Public Affairs Officer of USATF. She recently completed her
first marathon at the Bank of America Chicago Marathon, where she qualified for
Boston. Follow her professional exploits as the USATF spokesperson and her
adventures as a mid-pack marathoner -- Off The Record.
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