Tyson Gay at a press conference in Split, Croatia, on the eve of the IAAF / VTB Bank Continental Cup (© Bob Ramsak)
Tyson Gay, the second fastest man in history in the 100m, met with the media at the Meridien Lav Hotel in Split, Croatia, today (2) on the eve of his 4x100m Relay appearance for the Americas Team at this weekend’s IAAF / VTB Bank Continental Cup in Split, Croatia.
Below are some transcripts from the press conference.
On this main objective this weekend:
To run fast and just see how fast we can run. And see if we can get the world best since we can’t really call it the World record since athletes are from different countries. So, to see how fast we can run with four really fast guys. This will be my first time doing it, so I’m really looking forward to it.
His thoughts on the Continental Cup concept:
This is the first time doing something like this, running with guys from another country. So I’m definitely pleased for the opportunity to run with these guys. I think it’s something really beautiful, to see all of us come together and try to achieve something together.
Has the team trained together yet?
No we haven’t yet. I’ll be running third leg, and Wallace (Spearmon) will be handing to me. We’ve been running the sticks for years. We do need to practice though. I need to work with whoever is going to be the anchor leg. But we don’t know who that’s going to be right now since Yohan Blake was injured and went home.
On Usain Bolt and Asafa Powell’s injuries knocking them out as prospective relay partners:
I’m a little disappointed. I thought it was going to be Usain, Myself, Asafa and someone else. I figure we could run 36 seconds. But maybe another time.
On not competing in the individual 100m race at the IAAF / VTB Bank Continental Cup:
I wasn’t fit to run the U.S. nationals but my body feels real good right now and it feels ready to run fast.
[NB: One of the rules of eligibility for inclusion on the Americas team for the Continental Cup was for athletes to compete at their respective national championships.]
On his 100m race in Zagreb on Wednesday (1) night, where he beat co-world leader Nesta Carter of Jamaica:
I’m pretty happy with the victory. I didn’t run as fast as I wanted to run but at the same time I still had the win. I’m undefeated this season (at 100m) and that’s what’s most important.
On his initial impressions on Split during this, his first visit to Croatia’s Dalmatian coast:
It’s actually a lot warmer here than in Zagreb. It’s all actually very beautiful and enjoying every moment of it.
On how will he spend his downtime in Split:
This is the only opportunity I have, to have fun, the whole year. So I hope to see the city, do some shopping, and just have a lot of fun.
On his relationship with Usain Bolt:
Our relationship is cool. I’ve known him since 2005, 2006, since we’ve been competing against each other in Jamaica. I’ve always had a cool relationship with him on the track and off the track. We’ve never gone to a club together or anything like that, but it’s always been a mutual respect on my part. So that’s how it’s always been for me.
In response to a recent media account where Bolt said, “Deep down, Tyson hates my guts”:
I don’t hate Usain Bolt deep down inside (laughs).
Bob Ramsak for the IAAF
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IAAF / VTB Bank Continental Cup
Composition of Teams
- Each team will be allowed to enter two athletes in each event (three in the 1500m, 3000m, 5000m and 3000mSC but only the first two finishers from each team shall score points).
- Only one athlete from any one country may compete in each individual event.
Scoring
- individual events: 1st: 8pts – 2nd: 7pts – 3rd: 6pts – 4th: 5pts – 5th: 4pts – 6th: 3pts – 7th: 2pts – 8th: 1pt
- relays: 1st: 15pts – 2nd: 11pts – 3rd: 7pts – 4th: 3pts
- teams: Points achieved by men and women will be combined and the overall winner of the IAAF Continental Cup will be the team with the most combined points.