Tyson Gay vs. Usain Bolt

The 100 meters in the Olympics looks like it will be a showdown between Tyson Gay of the United States and Usain Bolt of Jamaica. Add in Asafa Powell, and the 100 meter race in the Olympics becomes the U.S. vs. Jamaica.
Gay talked to reporters in Beijing on Monday about his status -- he is nursing an injured hamstring -- and his preparation for the Olympics.
"My hamstring is 100 percent now," said Gay, who injured his leg trying to qualify for the 200 in the Olympic trials last month. "It took about four weeks for it to get fully recovered. I've basically been getting rehab on it and doing some light training in the process.
"I don't feel any aches or any twitching or anything like that. I've been staying hydrated and treating my body very well so I'm really confident that it's gonna hold up."
He took some time off before the Olympics to heal his legs and get ready for the Beijing Games.
"I'd rather be a 100 percent coming into the Olympics than risk being 85 percent going to a meet just to see where I'm at," Gay said. "I had a few chances in practice to see where I'm at and that kind of gave me a confidence booster.
"I went to Germany to see Dr. Muller-Wohlfarth, a famous doctor, and he works with a lot of soccer stars and football stars and other great athletes. He has a lot of experience with hamstring injuries and that is why I went there. I basically saw a great massage therapist and did some great rehab. I had access to a weight room and anything that I needed so this was the best option for me."
Gay will face two of the fastest men in the world in Bolt and Powell. Bolt is the world record holder in the 100 and Powell had the world record in the 100 before Gay beat him last year.
Gay knows how important it is for the United States to fare well in the Olympics.
"I came into the track scene around the Maurice Greene and Michael Johnson era so those are some of the Olympians I'm familiar with and that's not that long ago," Gay said. "Watching those guys run and watching the opening ceremony when I was younger inspired me to want to do this one day. I always ran track for the fun of it."
Gay said there are other Olympians who are concerned about his hamstring and are wondering how healthy he will be once competition begins.
"I met Kobe Bryant and he came up to me and asked me how my leg was doing and that was like crazy," Gay said. "He said he was going to come and check out the track meet. This is the best experience I've ever had in my life."
Gay said he expects the start of the 100 will be important, but not the deciding factor in the race.
"I think the start will be very crucial but I don't believe the person who gets out first will necessarily be the winner of this race," Gay said. "I think anything is possible. After four rounds you don't really see world records being broken too often. I think this is one of the hottest 100 meter dashes in history."
The air pollution has been a topic in Beijing before the Olympics began. The United States cycling team arrived in China wearing masks and Allyson Felix, a member of the women's track team, apparently went outside the city to train in preparation for her races. But Gay said he has not experienced any problems with air pollution.
"The weather has been great," Gay said. "I haven't had any problems and haven't worn a mask or seen anyone around me wearing a mask. Everything has been good."