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Gay sends out warning to sprint rivals

29/06/2008

Tyson Gay sent out a warning to his rivals for the 100 metres gold medal at the Beijing Olympics after running the third fastest time ever at the American trials.

Despite clocking a time of 9.77 seconds Gay is still not guaranteed a place in the American team for the games as he posted the time in the semi-finals of the trials.

To cement his place in Beijing Gay must finish in the top three in the final later today.

However, the time will certainly attract the attention of his rivals for the gold who will be wary that the American is coming into form at the right time.

At the Jamaican trials former world record holder Asafa Powell and the world's current fastest man, Usain Bolt, both qualified for the Games.

Bolt finished first, clocking a time of 9.85 secs, while Powell came second in 9.97 secs. Michael Frater will complete the Jamaican trio in Beijing after coming third in a time of 10.04.

Bolt broke Powell's world record at a meeting in New York last month, finishing in 9.72 secs, but remains undecided whether to run the 100 metres.

Formerly a 200 metre specialist, Bolt says he will make his final decision on whether to compete in both events next month.

Powell is still working his way back from a knee injury but his coach Stephen Francis believes he will be in good shape when the Olympics arrive.

He said: "We still have a lot of work to get the point where I am satisfied.

"He needs about three more weeks to be where he could have been and should have been now."

Bolt, Gay and Powell are the favourites to contest the medals in Beijing in August.