News02 Sep 2007


Bolt - 'Gay was the better man'

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Usain Bolt (JAM) - 200m heats (© Getty Images)

Jamaica's World Championships 200m silver medallist Usain Bolt believes American sprint double champion Tyson Gay was the better man over the distance, but made it clear that he will beat him one day.

In the men's 200m final contested on Friday at the Nagai Stadium here in Osaka, Bolt finished second in 19.91 behind Gay, who won in a championship record 19.76, beating the previous mark of 19.79 set by American Michael Johnson in 1995.

"I think I did pretty well, but I would have liked to win the gold," said Bolt after securing his first Major Championships medal.

"Tyson was the better man on the day, but hopefully next time I will get him."

In Friday's final, Bolt, who turned 21 on the eve of the championships, believes Gay was unbeatable.

"I tried hard, but for the moment he is unbeatable," said Bolt, whose first love for sport was cricket.

Asked if he was disappointed with the silver medal, Bolt, who repeated "Hopefully next time I can get (beat) him," said, "(I’m) definitely not (disappointed). I was beaten by Tyson Gay and I am proud of myself.”

Winner of the World Junior title in 2002 and the World Youth title in 2003, Bolt said he will do whatever it takes to beat Gay next season.

Bolt, who is the World Junior record holder at 19.93 and Central American and Caribbean record holder at 19.75, however, admitted it's going to take hard work and dedication to beat Gay.

"It's all about work training and getting everything right, and running a perfect race on the day," said the Jamaican, who has improved markedly over the distance this season.

He was accused on Jamaican radio by his coach Glen Mills as being “lazy’ and while he accepted it earlier this year by saying "I am more serious now", he said, "I am willing to do what it takes to beat Gay come next year."

In eight career clashes, Bolt only had two wins against the American, who beat another Jamaican, Asafa Powell, for the 100m title.

Gay, the second fastest man ever over 200m at 19.62 seconds, became the third man to take the 100m/200m sprint double at a World Championships, joining Americans Maurice Greene and Justin Gatlin, who achieved the feat in 1999 and 2005, respectively.

Anthony Foster for the IAAF

 

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