Tyson Gay powers to the 200m win in London (© Getty Images)
Sheffield, UKThe World 100m record could fall at the Norwich Union British Grand Prix, a Grand Prix status meeting as part of the IAAF World Athletics Tour 2007, which takes place in Sheffield’s Don Valley Stadium on 15 July.
Why?
Tyson Gay, will be in town.
The 24-year-old who was already the fastest 100 / 200m combination sprinter of all-time took a celebrated sprint double at the USATF Championships last weekend – 9.84 and 19.62 – the latter the second fastest time in history.
Now Gay is determined to stamp his authority as the world’s fastest at 100m when he comes to Sheffield and having run 9.76 in slightly illegal windy conditions (2.2m/s – when allowable limit is 2.0) at the IAAF World Athletics Tour meeting in New York on 2 June, the omens look good.
The Sheffield track is believed to be faster than the one in Gateshead, UK, where Asafa Powell equalled his own 9.77 second World record time last year.
Meeting Director Ian Stewart said: “A lot of things have to be right to achieve a World record but without a doubt Tyson has the ability to do it on the day if conditions are good.”
Gay was also in an upbeat mood: “This season is very important to me. I’ve proved I’m capable of winning races and recording great times, now I want to come back from the World Championships with medals.”
“I’m sure the competition in Sheffield will be tough, but that’s great for me and I'm ready for it.”
Gay triumphed over 200m at the Norwich Union London Grand Prix - IAAF World Athletics Tour - meeting in London last summer, crossing the line in 19.84 and setting a new UK All-comers record in the process.
Zarah Al-Kudcy for the IAAF