London, UK - American 100m record holder and 2007 triple World champion Tyson Gay says he will use both of Britain’s IAAF Diamond League events, this summer, to maintain his assault on Usain Bolt’s dominance as king of the track.

Gay, who is one of 14 IAAF Diamond League Ambassadors, will contest the 200m at the Aviva British Grand Prix held at Gateshead International Stadium on 10 July, and the 100m at the Aviva London Grand Prix at Crystal Palace on 13 and 14 August.

He said:  “Being a Diamond League Ambassador is a huge honour for me and I’m really looking forward to returning to Gateshead for the Aviva British Grand Prix.  With no major worldwide championship this year, the Diamond League will be the biggest thing in track and field.  I always enjoy competing in Britain, and I’m happy to see they have two Diamond League events.”

Injury hindered Gay’s performance at the Beijing Olympics in 2008, but he returned to world-class form last year and earned himself the title of ‘World’s Second Fastest Man’ after his blistering performance in Berlin, where he ran a national record, and then a month later equalled Usain Bolt’s former world record of 9.69 seconds.

The Kentucky-born sprinter has continued his blistering form into 2010; earlier this month he ran 44.89secs in Florida, in the 400m, which made him the first man in history to dip under 10secs in the 100m, under 20secs in the 200m and under 45secs in the 400m.

Gay is unbeaten in Gateshead, having won the 100m in 2009 and the 200m the year before and he will no doubt be looking for another victory when he returns this year.

He said: “I’ve been to Gateshead twice and was able to win both times.  I’m hoping to make it three in a row when I go back to compete in July.

“The crowd is always great, really lively and energetic.  Even the rain in the past hasn’t dampened their spirits! I hear there’s a roof on the stadium now which will keep the fans dry.  If they want to extend that out over the track, I wouldn’t mind.

“I look forward to giving them a great show.”
 
Although Gay competed over 200m at Crystal Palace in 2009, he last contested the 100m in 2007 where he cruised to an easy victory in 10.02secs.

He said: “Competing in London is always great. The stadium is always packed and there’s a great carnival atmosphere.  It’s fantastic racing in front of the Crystal Palace crowd and I’m really looking forward to being there again in August.”

The new IAAF Diamond League is an international series of 14 events, of which the Aviva London Grand Prix is the only event to have a two-day programme.

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