US Olympic Track Team 2012: 5 Reasons Tyson Gay Is a Legit Contender in 100m

Tyson Gay has a lot to prove at the 2012 Summer Olympics.

Still, that doesn't take him out of the conversation for being a medal contender in the 100-meter dash.

During the 2008 Beijing Games, Gay qualified for the semifinals but fell short of the final by running 10.05 seconds. Since, however, he has made significant improvements and is a stronger presence in London.

Ahead, let's take a look at why Gay will be a force when the track sprints begin later this week.

He's Beaten Usain Bolt Before

Back in 2010, Tyson Gay defeated Usain Bolt in the 100-meter dash during a Diamond League meet.

Running 9.84 seconds to Bolt's 9.97, Gay was clearly pleased with the victory, per BBC Sport:

"

It feels great to beat Usain but deep down inside I know he is not 100%. I look forward to beating him when he is 100%.

It was very important to beat someone like that for the fans and the sport. My body worked well today, I was excited and motivated.

"

Just this victory alone is all the confidence Gay needs heading into London.

Bolt can have record after record after record, but all it takes is one time to prove he can be beaten. Gay has done that and it's proof he can do it again.

No Pressure

Tyson Gay may not have made the finals in 2008 and it certainly means he has much to prove.

That being said, there is also no pressure on Gay as the expectations aren't nearly as high, like for Usain Bolt.

When you are expected to win, winning itself becomes that much more difficult. Gay isn't expected to win and after not making the finals in Beijing, it's only less pressure on him to perform.

Plus, the man is 29 years old (turning 30 on August 9), so Gay's age alone makes him an even bigger underdog.

In turn, all this accumulates to Gay going under the radar when the 100-meter competition progresses.

Top Speed Potential

When Usain Bolt set the world record in the 100-meter dash at 9.58 seconds, Tyson Gay was the man right behind him at 9.71 seconds.

Yes, that's a rather steep gap for the 100 considering how quickly the athletes get out of the blocks.

Acceleration is arguably everything in the event, because rarely will someone catch up from behind: mainly because there's so little time and distance to catch up. Gay, though, proved here he could potentially match Bolt in the Olympics if given the opportunity.

Not to mention Gay's personal best of 9.69 which is tied for the second-fasted recorded time ever.

Wind, no wind, little wind or some wind, Gay has the initial explosiveness to beat Bolt out of the blocks and down the single stretch toward the finish line.

Bolt Has Lacked Consistency Since 2008

Usain Bolt may have set the world record in 2009 but he hasn't done much else since the 2008 Summer Olympics in the 100.

Outside of the 100 Bolt has been impressively consistent in relays and the 200-meter dash, but he was beat by Gay in 2010 (as previously mentioned) and according to the Associated Press via ESPN, false started at the 2011 World Championships.

This then opened the door for Jamaican teammate Yohan Blake, who defeated Bolt at the Olympic Trials per BBC Sport. Bolt has clearly been in a funk since breaking his own world record and if he's not the best Jamaican sprinter in London, Tyson Gay's window of opportunity has extended.

Blake is undoubtedly a solid racer, but Gay can burst from the blocks more consistently and has better finishing speed.

With a better top gear and nothing to lose, Gay is the best challenger to Bolt for gold.

Confidence

Tyson Gay's quiet confidence is what's most dangerous for his opponents in London.

In an article by Rob Draper of the Daily Mail, Gay stated regarding Jamaica's private training session:

"

"I didn't know they were training secretly," said Gay, unfazed and unperturbed. He is the antithesis of the American sprinter, humble and softly spoken. "We're only 10 days away from the Games and there's not much you can hide because it's about to come out."

"

Gay doesn't appear to be showing any fear heading into the Summer Games and rightfully so, because he has the experience from 2008 combined with no expectations for 2012.

All the pressure is on Jamaica as they are considered the top sprinting country. If anything, Gay is just part of a field that has eyes on upsetting Bolt and Co.

The Americans will certainly be watching Gay and hoping for a [gold] medal, but the world will be on Jamaica. He has everything to gain in the 100, and with his complete resume Gay's confidence level is arguably higher than ever before.

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