Tyson Gay's 100-Meter American Record Attempt: Take Two (Updated)

The stage was set.

It was the conclusion of the 14-meet Diamond League Series last Friday in Brussels, Belgium.

Tyson Gay had been on a roll, defeating Jamaicans Asafa Powell in Gateshead England, Usain Bolt in Stockholm, Sweden and running a season's best 9.78 in cold and damp London.

A good field of sub-10 sprinters were lined up with Gay in Brussels in his deliberate attempt on his own American record (9.69) in the 100-meter dash.

The runners were called to the "set" position.

Then, someone's starting blocks slipped. The sound sent the runners down the track prematurely.

At first, many thought Gay had jumped the gun and was disqualified but the starter wisely retained the entire field for a re-start.

In the second attempt, a clearly-distracted Gay had a poor start and had to fight from behind to surge past Jamaican Nesta Carter at about 65 meters.

Gay fell short of his goal but still won the race in a very fast 9.79 with Carter on his heels in 9.85.

Two days later, Carter himself ran a blistering 9.78 in Rieti, Italy to equal Gay's 2010 world-best time, becoming the world's fourth fastest human.

And now the stage is set again.

Today in Zagreb, Croatia, at the Zagreb World Challenge, Gay will again make that American record attempt. And guess who will be lining up on his shoulder?

One Mr. Nesta Carter, among others.

"Will I go faster than my personal record? Very likely! Competition is good and the race will be very fast. I just hope the weather will serve us" Gay told the Croatian press."This race could be one of the most interesting of the season. I feel very good, I am running great and I've been working a lot on my start".

As the European track and field circuit begins to wind down, it could be one of Gay's last opportunities to make a statement in the absence of Bolt and Powell, both of whom shut down their seasons earlier in August.

Update: In cool (55F) conditions, Gay won the 100m in 9.92 running into a mild headwind. Nesta Carter was a distant second in 10.07. No new American record this time.

Other meet highlights -

Mens 800m - Nick Symmonds (USA) won in a meet record 1:45.37.

Women's 800m - Kenia Sinclair (JAM) won in 1:58.59 while Morgan Uceny (USA) came second in 1:59.49.

Men's 400m H - Justin Gaymon (USA) won in 49.19.

Women's 100m H - near photo finish as Lolo Jones (USA) eked out the win (12.87) over Canadian Felicien Perdita (12.88).

Men's Long Jump - Dwight Phillips (USA) in another squeaker over Spain's Luis Felipe Meliz, 25'-9" to 25'-8".

Women's 200m - Marshevet Myers (USA) solidifies her comeback with a win in 22.94.

Women's Discus - Croatian thrower Sandra Perkovic won on home soil in a meet record 215-6.

Women's High Jump - Homegrown darling Blanka Vlasic easily won at 2.02 (6'-7")

Men's Shot Put - Americans Christian Cantwell and Reese Hoffa went 1-2. Cantwell's winning toss was 22.22 (72'-10").