Pressure heightens for Gay in Olympic preparation
CARSON, California (Reuters) - Double world sprint champion Tyson Gay is already feeling the pressure of expectation in his build-up to the Olympics Games in August.
Although the softly-spoken American ruled the roost at last year's world championships by winning both the 100 meters and the 200, he is wary of entering uncharted territory in Beijing.
"I am real nervous about this year," Gay, 25, told reporters at the Home Depot Center on Thursday in the build-up to Sunday's Adidas Track Classic.
"I have never been to the Olympics before so I don't really know what to expect.
"People tell me: 'Hey, in the world champs, you can look to the right of you and see some empty stands, look to the left and see a few empty stands.
"But when the Olympics come, I was told in the morning rounds you are going to see thousands of people in the stands and in the evening rounds, you are going to see stands completely full.
"So I just have to stay focused and try to worry about myself," added Gay, who has set his sights on becoming the first man to win Olympic gold over 100 and 200 since compatriot Carl Lewis in 1984.
"I really believe, if I get sidetracked, anybody can knock me out. In the 100-metre dash, you never know the outcome because it is the Olympics and a lot of people will step up to the plate."
Gay defeated Derrick Atkins of the Bahamas and world-record holder Asafa Powell of Jamaica in the 100 and Usain Bolt, also of Jamaica, in the 200 at last year's world championships in Osaka, Japan.
SPRINT DOUBLE
While unaware that Lewis was the last man to complete an Olympic sprint double, Gay said he was more concerned with a statistic relating to the world championships.
"Most of the world champion sprinters have gone on to win the Olympics the next year, so that is also a lot of pressure (on me)," the American added with a smile.
"A friend of mine who loves the sport brought that to my attention in a letter. He made a list of all the sprinters who have done it and there was only one who didn't and I think it was Kim Collins.
"When my friend did that, it put a lot of pressure on me and then he puts my name at the end of the list with a question mark."
Gay ran his first 200 of the year 12 days ago in Jamaica, claiming victory in a season-leading 20.00 seconds. He is scheduled to compete in both the 100 and 200 on Sunday.
"I am not really expecting anything spectacular," he said. "If something does happen, I will be pleased but I am really looking forward to just running.
"I am trying to work on some things and it's going to be very important for me to be healthy in June," he added, referring to the U.S national trials in Eugene, Oregon. "That's my main focus."
(Editing by Greg Stutchbury)
