The Jamaica Star :: Sport :: Bolt, Gay in big 100m clash

Anthony foster, Freelance Writer

Usain Bolt (left) of Jamaica and American Tyson Gay at a press conference in New York yesterday. Both will clash in the 100m at the Reebok Grand Prix in New York tomorrow. - ap

One of the biggest sprint clashes of the current track and field season will take place tomorrow in New York.

Jamaica's Usain Bolt, the world leader, will match strides with American world champion Tyson Gay at the Reebok Grand Prix set for the Icahn Stadium on Randall's Island.

"It's going to be a huge showdown," Gay said in a recent interview. "I ran 9.76 in New York last year, he ran 9.76 legal (May 3 at the National Stadium), so there is going to be a great showdown in New York." Gay expects a fast time.

"I think it's going to be an extremely fast time, especially if the wind is in our favour," he said. With the meet expected to attract thousands of Jamaicans, Bolt will have lots of support.

Lift from the crowd

Speaking at yesterday's pre-meet press conference, Bolt agreed that he will get a lift from the crowd.

Reebok has been very good every year. A lot of Jamaican supporters are coming in for this meet. It's going to be good for me," the world 200m silver medallist said.

The 100m will also feature Leroy Dixon and Darvis Patton, two members of the American quartet which won gold in the sprint relay in Osaka last year and 2004 Olympic 200m gold medallist Shawn Crawford.

The women's 100m will feature a clash of the three medallists from last year's final at the Osaka World Championships. Champion, Jamaica's Veronica Campbell-Brown takes on runner-up American Lauryn Williams, and her compatriot, bronze medal winner Carmelita Jeter. Also down to compete in this event is world leader and 2007 world 200m gold medallist Allyson Felix and fellow American, 2003 world champion Torri Edwards.

Focus on winning

Campbell-Brown said her focus, as always, is on winning. "I will just focus on what I have to do to win the race," she said while making it clear she had no friends when she races the starter.

"We are all competitors. Everyone wants to win," she added. American Wallace Spearmon leads the men's 200m field, which also includes Jamaicans Marvin Anderson and Chris Williams.

In the men's 400m, Jermaine Gonzales, Sanjay Ayre and Edino Steele will face the starter while in the women's equivalent, Novlene Williams and Shereefa Lloyd, Sonita Sutherland will oppose Jamaican-born American Sanya Richards.

Shevon Stoddart will face Lashinda Demus in the women's 400m hurdles while 2004 Olympic silver medallist Danny McFarlane and Josef Robertson will start in the men's equivalent.

Mardrea Hyman and Korene Hinds are down for the 1500m. Teams from local high schools - Calabar High, Herbert Morrison and St Jago High - and several American secondary schools will face off in the boys' 4x100m.