Gay injury dashes dream showdown with Bolt at Worlds

"Today, I just couldn't get it to go no matter how hard I tried," the world's second fastest man said on his Facebook page (www.face­book.com/tyson.gay). "My only focus now is to get healthy," the disappointed Gay said.

His manager Mark Wetmore said the American record holder was forced to withdraw from the 100 after he was unable to warm up due to a hip and adductor problem on his right side.

Wetmore told ‘Reuters’ that Gay would not take part in the 200 metres trials beginning on Saturday. The injury cost the upcoming World Championship organisers its headline matchup — a showdown between Gay and Bolt — and robbed the American team of its only sprinter within striking distance of the Jamaican.

"It is a big blow," said US 100 metres winner Walter Dix. "Tyson at his best is one of the top runners in the world. For us to not have him means we are just going to have to step up."

Gay could be part of the US world 4x100M relay team if he recovered in time, USA Track and Field (USATF) officials said. "But he has to be able to show fitness and be able to run," USATF President Stephanie Hightower said.

Former world record holder and Jamaican 100 metres trials winner Asafa Powell said he hoped that happened.

Bolt and Gay had met in the 2009 World Championships with Bolt winning in a world record 9.58 seconds. Gay took second.

They raced again in Stockholm last year with Gay taking a surprise victory.