Tyson Gay comes through strong at the end to defeat Asafa Powell in the men's 100m in Thessaloniki (© Getty Images)
After a false start which was attributed to the whole field rather than one man, the race got away properly on the second time of asking and it was USA’s Darvis Patton who was very well into his running in lane three, two inside of Asafa Powell. But it wasn’t long before Jamaica’s two-time World championship bronze medallist was ahead of the American and seemingly heading for a relaxed victory.
However, Tyson Gay, the World silver medallist, running with a groin injury on borrowed time competitively speaking prior to an operation this autumn, had other plans. The American record holder got out of the blocks smoothly though was immediately in deficit in terms of Powell’s race progression. But then Gay started playing catch-up and engaged hyper-speed in the final 30 metres to power to the right-hand shoulder of the Jamaican and then ease his chest in front with no more than a metre or two remaining to the finish.
The victory was Gay’s, 9.88 sec to Powell’s 9.90, with Patton dying as much as Gay gained in the last 30 to finish third in 10.00 dead. "After 80 metres I had though that's it. I saw him coming, but I could not react," said Asafa Powell.
"I am very happy with my win," said Gay. "I tried hard to beat Asafa and I didn't quit the race, even though I was far behind him. My groin was sore but that didn't stop me to chase him and finally beat him. I had great energy inside me."
"I got surprised," said Powell. "I didn't expect Tyson Gay to come from behind and beat me.... I thought I had it at 80 metres."
Chris Turner for the IAAF