Tyson Gay - 9.77 U.S. record in the quarter-finals (!) in Eugene (© Getty Images)
Three of the world’s fastest women made the U.S. Olympic 100m team in the U.S. Trials on Saturday (28), but they were upstaged by a gang of men headed by World champion Tyson Gay which made the historic 1968 “Night of Speed” look like Slo-Mo, as PB’s fell like autumn leaves.
Running in the first of three men’s 100m quarter finals, Gay exploded out of the blocks, opened visible daylight in the first 30 metres, and flashed across the finish line in 9.77 seconds for a new American record, the wind being measured at +1.6. Gay broke the former standard of 9.79 set by Maurice Greene in 1999.
Behind him were high schooler Jeffery Demps in 10.01 - an American Junior record which also equals the World mark set by Trinidad’s Darrel Brown in 2003 - Walter Dix, 10.02, and Leroy Dixon, also 10.02.
The second race was won by Clemson University student Travis Patton in 9.89 (+1.6) from Rodney Martin (9.95) and Mark Jelks (9.96); and the third by Darvis “Doc” Patten in 9.89 (again + 1.6), with Ivory Williams (9.94), Xavier Carter (10.00) and John Capel (10.06).
Sixteen men qualified for Sunday’s semi-finals, with an average time of 9.997. Two runners failed to qualify for the semis with 10.09: one of them was Athens gold and silver medallist Shawn Crawford. Whoever heard of such a thing!
Said Gay, who in his first-round heat mistook the finish line, eased up and qualified only fourth, “After the first round, I was scared. I almost started crying as soon as I crossed the line because I thought I didn't make it. I was pretty nervous, but this round I ran through the line. I eased up a little bit. I had my arms in here so I wasn't trying to exert too much energy."
Lee prevails in 10.85
The women’s semi-finals and finals were supposed to supply today’s headlines, and indeed they were hot, with Marshavet Hooker winning the first a windy 10.89, and Torri Edwards a scorching wind-legal 10.78, while Osaka bronze medallist Carmelita Jeter got a terrible start that left her two metres down and ended up fifth in Edwards heat in 11.05, giving her the dubious distinction of owning the fastest time in any qualifying race ever to not make a final.
The final itself was a beauty. With a 1.0 m/s aiding wind, Muna Lee overtook Edwards halfway through the race and pulled away to win in 10.85. Edwards held off Lauryn Williams for second, both in 10.90, and Hooker, after a poor start, just missing in 10.93 but passing Allyson Felix for fourth, 10.93 to 10.96.
Said winner Lee, "This comes with experience. I felt really well blasting at the beginning and feeling relaxed at the end. This year I really learned how to plan out my races well."
Hoffa leads Cantwell and Nelson to Beijing
The other two finals were also standouts, but since Ed Gordon is covering Hyleas Fountain’s exceptional Heptathlon - see link in 'related content' to right of this story - I’ll tell you about the men’s Shot Put.
After one round, Dan Taylor’s 20.80m was leading, but World champion Reese Hoffa, looking much the most relaxed and comfortable in the ring, took the lead with 20.91 in round two, then followed with 21.13, foul, 21.94 and 22.10. Christian Cantwell, standing fourth after four rounds, then caught successive heaves of 21.24 and 21.71 for second. Adam Nelson squeezed out a 20.89 on his fourth throw to edge Taylor by nine cm.
"Twenty-two (metres) is a gold standard, and to do that under the absolutely incredible pressure that we have here makes me very happy,” said Hoffa.
"In 2004 I was young and naïve. When people expect you to make the team it's different. A lot more pressure. When you actually make an Olympic team, you just have to take a deep breath and look around you and be thankful for making it through such a talented field."
Cantwell, who redeemed his failure to make the team in 2004, said “probably eight of the people out there today could have done something to upset the form chart. (Adam) Nelson got really lucky; usually that mark wouldn't get you through. He's fortunate to be going to his third Olympics."
“The real show starts in six weeks. That's really all I am thinking about because I have nine more throws. Now the fun begins because all today was about was a plane ticket."
James Dunaway for the IAAF
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