UPDATE 1-Olympics-Athletics-Gay says ready for 100 metres

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By Gene Cherry

DALIAN, China, Aug 5 (Reuters) - Recovering world champion Tyson Gay said on Tuesday he would be ready for the 100 metres at the Beijing Olympics in 10 days.

"When I step on the line in Beijing, don't worry," Gay said in a statement released by his management company. "I'll be ready to go."

The men's 100 metres is expected to be the athletics highlight of the Games.

World record holder Usain Bolt, former holder and Jamaican compatriot Asafa Powell and Gay are expected to challenge Bolt's world record of 9.72 seconds in the final on Aug. 16.

American 200 metres world bronze medallist Wallace Spearmon has predicted all three could run under 9.70 seconds given favourable conditions.

Gay's statement said training and treatment had been progressing very well in Munich, Germany, where he has been recovering from a strained hamstring sustained in the 200 metres preliminaries at the U.S. Olympic trials in July.

He was joined in Germany by co-coach Jon Drummond on July 22 and has gradually returned to high-level training, the statement said.

The world champion at 100 and 200 metres, Gay will run only the 100 and 4x100 metres relay at the Games. He did not qualify in the 200 metres after falling to the track with the hamstring injury in the second round at the trials in Eugene, Oregon.

Gay was due to arrive in China later on Tuesday.

He had originally planned to practice with his U.S. team mates at the American training camp in Dalian, but changed his schedule so he could attend Friday's Opening Ceremony. He will remain in Beijing to continue his preparations for the 100 metres, with the first round scheduled for Aug 15. (Editing by Alex Richardson)