One of the biggest stories in the 2012 Olympics is whether any sprinter can compete with the reigning Olympic champion and faster man to ever live Usain Leo Bolt. Usain Bolt has the world record for the 100 meter dash at 9.58 seconds which he ran at the 2009 World Championships. He is the only man to ever run a sub 9.6 in the hundred meter dash. Does that mean he is unbeatable?
With the conclusion of the Mens 100 meter dash final at the U.S Track and Field Olympic Trials June 24 we now know who the United States will be sending to represent in the 100. Justin Gaitlin, Tyson Gay, and Ryan Bailey were the top 3 after yesterdays final with previous Olympians Walter Dix (hamstring injury) and Doc Patton falling short of making the podium.
Bailey vs. Bolt
Ryan Bailey is best known as previous Olympian and 2011 U.S 100 meter champion Walter Dix’s training partner. He looked extremely impressive claiming third out of lane 1 so while he will be competitive Bailey’s competition may not be with Bolt. With Christopher Lemaitre from Paris, Dwain Chambers from Britain, as well as presumably Asafa Powell and Yohan Blake (Jamaican Olympic trials June 28 – July 1) Bailey could very well medal but gold may not come around this time for the young American.
Gay vs. Bolt
Tyson Gay has only raced four times this year coming off a hip surgery in July of 2011. Prior to the Trials Gay had only raced one time in New York running a ten second flat. The fact remains that Tyson Gay is the last person to have beaten Usain Bolt since his dominance in the 100 meters. He is the American record holder and the only person with the top end speed to possibly contend with Bolt. Where Tyson Gay has struggled is his start. Between 30 and 100 meters there is not a better sprinter then Tyson Gay. If you do not believe me watch is race at the Shanghai Golden Grand Prix in 2009. Asafa Powell was once the world’s fastest man himself and Gay after a horrendous start walks him down only to then set his American Record. During the recent trials however while his top end speed is certainly there getting out of the blocks will certainly be his Achilles heel for this Olympics. When Gay managed to beat Usain Bolt he did it by putting together a complete race with a stellar start then holding the Olympic champ at bay. Therefore if you want to compete with Bolt the only man that has the ability would be Tyson Gay. Whether he has the health in order to do so will be the determining factor within his performance.
Justin Gaitlin is like a ghost. He was the Olympic Champion in the 100 meter dash in ’04 only to disappear after a four year doping ban. As an avid track and field fan I followed his career from the University of Tennessee all the way to the Olympics. Track athletes that are forced away from the sport from multiple years rarely return at all much less at a similar if not better level then they left the sport. He even tried out for the NFL Tennessee Titans. Gaitlin however this year has managed not to lose a race yet. So from the ashes of obscurity our best contender for returning the Gold Medal in the 100 meter dash is now the same man who won it for us the previous Olympics before Bolt took over the sport of Track & Field. He is healthy, confident, and I think the only sprinter who currently wants to race Usain Bolt. Perhaps redemption is his motivation, possibly even unawareness due to the fact that Gaitlin because of his suspension has never raced Bolt. What we know for a fact is that based on his performances and times the only non-Jamaican competitor that Bolt should pay attention to (He probably isn’t) is Gaitlin.
Bolt vs. Bolt
The Olympics are great because they give us the opportunity to even have these types of discussions. Everyone from previous Track greats like Michael Johnson to college professors have analyzed Bolt trying to understand why he is so fast and more importantly could he run faster. What is scary is the fact that Bolts reaction time (the time it takes for the sprinter to get out of the blocks in reaction to the gun) is actually poor. He could lower his own World Record just by being more attentive on the start. This is easier said than done however because during the World Championships finals he managed to false start which disqualified him allowing countrymen Yohan Blake to claim that title. As we all know anything that has happened once can happen again. So when the best event in all of the Olympics (in my opinion) happens, and we determine the fastest man in the world based on who wins the 100 meter dash regardless of what happens you know exactly what to look for. Go USA!
