Gay diagnosed with mild leg strain
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(AP) - Sprinter Tyson Gay has a mild strain in a muscle in the back of his left leg, and he has been told to restrict himself to light physical activity for the next two weeks.
Gay pulled up abruptly in the first 40 meters of his 200-meter qualifying race Saturday at the U.S. Olympic track and field trials and had to be carted off the track. He was diagnosed with a severe cramp in his hamstring, and an MRI that afternoon revealed the strain.
A statement from his representatives said Sunday he is "expected to engage in 'active rest' for up to 12-14 days, with light physical activity increasing through that period, then resume training."
The only meet he is signed up for before the Olympics is the 100 meters at the London Grand Prix on July 24-25.
Gay, the defending world champion in the 100 and 200, already has qualified for the Olympic 100 meters. That competition begins Aug. 15 in Beijing. If he can run, he also would be expected to be part of the 400-meter relay team.
Bubba Thornton, head coach of the U.S. men's team, said he saw Gay on Sunday morning, but didn't divulge any details of his condition.
"He has an injury, and I'm very confident that he's going to be in place when they say 'On your mark'" in Beijing, Thornton said.
He wouldn't get specific when asked what kind of readiness Gay must show to be included on the relay team.
Regardless, Gay's shot at a 200 medal is gone. USA Track and Field rules state only the top three finishers qualify for the Olympics, regardless of a runner's past record or any injuries.
The concept behind the selection process has become a topic of debate since Gay's injury.
In other sports, there is room for injury petitions. For instance, in gymnastics, defending all-around gold medalist Paul Hamm broke a bone in his hand in the first round of nationals, an injury that forced him to drop out of that event and miss Olympic trials. However, he was placed on the team provided he shows he's ready at a training camp in two weeks.
There is no such process in track, even though in Gay's case it could cost the United States a gold medal. USATF does it that way to avoid politics and other subjective criteria.
"What you'd end up having is athletes perhaps in other events feigning injuries to gain access," USATF president Bill Roe said. "So you can't really take injury into account. I don't think that's one of the criteria we'd use in any case."