• World Athletics Championships

Bolt denied Gay showdown at World Championships

ESPN staff
June 25, 2011
Tyson Gay has a hip injury © Getty Images
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Usain Bolt is set to miss out on a showdown with Tyson Gay at the 2011 World Championships, after the American pulled up injured in the US National Championships.

Bolt has a defeat to avenge against Gay, who beat him in Stockholm last year. The pair had been heading for a high profile encounter in Daegu, but Gay has been rocked by a hip injury.

The sprint star qualified in second place during the heats at the Nationals, but then had to withdraw from the semi-final line-up. The event acts as a qualifier for the World Championships, so Gay's place is set to go to another member of the US squad.

Walter Dix won the 100m in 9.94s, one hundredth of a second ahead of Justin Gatlin. Gay's absence could mean Gatlin gets a chance on the big stage following a four-year drug ban.

There are further doubts over Gay's other disciplines, with the hip injury expected to force him out of the 200m at the Nationals.

The 28-year-old won world gold in both the 100m and 200m in 2007, as well as in the 4x100m relay. Gay could find that the relay is the only race he runs when the Championships get underway in August, although the severity of the hip injury is yet to be clarified.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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