Gay didn't let anybody down

HIS COMEBACK INCREDIBLE

By Mark Maloney - HERALD-LEADER SPORTS WRITER

Zao shang hao (Chinese for good morning),

What happened to Tyson Gay’s Olympics does not tarnish the man.

After his legal 9.77 and wind-aided 9.68 at the U.S. Olympic trials, anticipation of a Gay vs. Usain Bolt and Asafa Powell 100 meters was all the buzz. Then, in the 200-meter quarterfinals at the U.S. trials, Gay pulled his left hamstring.

When he did not make it to the finals here, he said he felt like he let his supporters down, even though he tried his best.

He did not let anybody down. What he did — come back from a pull, with almost no practice, and reach the Olympic semifinals — is incredible.

As he did after the 100, Gay faced the music when he was unable to hook up on the final baton pass in the 4-by-100 relay semifinals. No whining, blaming anyone else or hiding in silence.

Gay is still the world champion in the 100 and 200 meters. And he remains a champion of a man.

It’s too bad that he wasn’t able to be in peak condition for Beijing, because a healthy Gay would give Bolt a run for the gold.

He didn’t get the results he and we wanted, but Gay did himself proud.

Zaijian,

Mark

Mark Maloney is covering his 10th Olympics. Go to Kentucky.com to read his blog from Beijing.

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