Summer Olympics 2012 Predictions: Tyson Gay Will Sneak into 100m Winner's Circle

Tyson Gay has unfinished business.

Everyone predicted the Team USA sprinter to medal in the 2008 Summer Olympics, but in 2012, it’s a much bolder prediction. He’s against the odds, but when it’s all said and done, he’ll be on the 100-meter podium.

Gay's greatest obstacle to place is the three-headed Jamaican monster that is Usain Bolt, Yohan Blake and Asafa Powell.

Bolt boasts Olympic and World records in the 100-meter and is justifiably a heavy favorite in London.

If Gay wasn’t injured in Beijing, he could’ve challenged Bolt for gold. Doing so now, though, is highly unlikely. Bolt has already run the fastest two times this year in Rome and Oslo.

Blake actually won the 100 at the Brazilian trials, though. He’s the reigning world champion in the event, and if anyone is capable of dethroning Bolt, it’s him. Because Gay is also unlikely to compete with Blake, that leaves one medal up for grabs.

Gay, Blake and Powell are the only sprinters alive who can claim they’ve defeated Bolt. But Powell isn’t Gay’s only competition for bronze. Justin Gatlin beat him by 0.06 seconds at the U.S. Trials.

Gatlin won gold in the 100 at the 2004 Olympics in Athens. While he’s 30 years old, he’s faster than he’s ever been. The 9.80 that he recorded in the trials was a personal best.

Gay may have not been able to outpace Gatlin at the trials, but his best is better than Gatlin’s best. Back in 2009, Gay ran the second-fastest time in world history at 9.69—the same time Bolt ran in Beijing.

More recently, he’s coming off of a win at the London Grand Prix. Powell pulled out of the race due to a strained groin, and the injury should give a healthy Gay an edge over him.

The Associated Press reported Gay said after his victory (via ESPN):

"

I'm in pretty good shape, I just need to work on some things on my groin area with my physio and I should be good to go. I feel I know how to mentally prepare for this type of weather, and this was the best place to prepare for the Games.

"

According to BBC, Gay also said he’ll have to run at least a 9.70 to medal against the Jamaican trio.

He knows what he has to do, he's done it in the past and with Gatlin pushing him, Gay will pull off the upset in London.

David Daniels is a featured columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer.

Follow @TheRealDDaniels