Newly crowned US sprint king Tyson Gay says Michael Johnson's long-standing 200 metres record is 'breakable' after charging to a rare world double.
OSAKA: Newly crowned US sprint king Tyson Gay says Michael Johnson's long-standing 200 metres record is 'breakable' after charging to a rare world double.
Gay stormed to 19.76 seconds on the Osaka track, lowering track legend Johnson's 1995 championships mark, as he outstripped Jamaica's Usain Bolt and left close friend Wallace Spearmon for dust.
Afterwards Gay, who had already claimed the 100 m title, said Johnson's eight-year-old world record of 19.32 was within his grasp.
"I beat the meet record of Michael Johnson and that is a great feeling because he is also one of my idols. I believe it is possible to beat his world record, but I have to build up more strength," he said.
Gay, 25, inched towards Johnson's mark when he ran 19.62 in June, the second fastest 200m ever seen. His comments raise anticipation of a record-breaking performance at next year's Beijing Olympics.
The Kentucky native claimed only the third 100-200 sprint double after Maurice Greene in 1999 and the disgraced Justin Gatlin in 2005. He can emulate Greene and the great Carl Lewis by claiming a third gold in the 4x100m relay.
"The 200 metres can be broken; It is just about believing in God that he would give me the strength," he said. "I have two golds and I want the third in relay."
Gay got off to his usual slow start but thundered into contention on the bend before accelerating down the straight, leaving his rivals shaking their heads in disbelief.
"Tyson is an animal on that turn. I wanted to run the turn harder and it just didn't work. Maybe it's not for me," said a disappointed Spearmon.
"I got a medal, so it's like a pat on the back, but it feels like a spit in the face. I know I can run as fast as they did, but I guess you'll see it later. Tyson is the man to beat. Hands down, he just proved it."
Jamaican record-holder Bolt, who surrendered a brief lead on the turn, said Gay was simply 'unbeatable.'
"I tried hard, but for the moment he is unbeatable. I'm proud of myself to get the silver for Jamaica. Hey, I'm one of the best in the world, that is not small," said Bolt.
Gay finished an agonising fourth behind three US team-mates in 2005.
But he has been sensational this season, blasting to the fastest sprint combination in history after timing 9.84 and 19.62 within two days of each other in June.
Gay's achievements this season are all the more remarkable since his coach, Lance Brauman, has been in prison, sending training schedules and advice from behind bars.
Gay dedicated the win to Brauman, who was released on Tuesday after serving a year and a day for embezzlement and mail fraud.
"He sent me a text message," Gay said of Brauman. "I will see my coach in few weeks' time, I don't know when exactly."
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