Sprinter Gay sweeps 100, 200

OSAKA, Japan – Tired and sore, Tyson Gay didn’t have energy left to celebrate completing one of the most impressive sprint doubles in the history of the world track and field championships.

“This was the hardest race of my life,” he said. “I couldn’t think or nothing. I really couldn’t put my arms up to celebrate.”

The latest dominant American sprinter pulled away from Jamaican Usain Bolt down the straightaway to win the 200 meters Thursday in 19.76 seconds, breaking the meet record of 19.79 set 12 years ago by American Michael Johnson in Goteborg, Sweden.

Despite a sore left hamstring, Gay has a shot at one more gold medal in the 400-meter relay Saturday. Only two other U.S. athletes – Carl Lewis (1983, 1987) and Maurice Greene (1999) – have won three golds at a world championships.

Defending champion Dwight Phillips managed a bronze in the long jump, giving the United States 13 medals, three more than second-place Russia. The Americans have six gold.