When 'Freak' is a term of respect - Gay on Bolt

by Paul Conneally | July 19, 2009 at 06:10 am

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As the world looks forward to the clash between the two fastest runners on earth one them has been calling the other 'freak' and 'beast'.

But this is not intended as insulting says Tyson Gay for it is he speaking about the phenomenon that is Usain Bolt - the current Olympic champion and 100m world record holder.

He claims that his comments are borne out of deep respect for Bolt but when they hit the track in Berlin in 4 weeks time he needs to be aware that his words might only serve to quicken Bolt up a little more and Gay could find himself looking at Bolt's rear as he crosses the line as world champion.

Simon Turnbull serves up an in depth interview with Gay in the Independent that throws insight on the rivalry between Gay and Bolt and the pressure too on Gay from an expectant US fan base.

"I give respect where respect is due," Gay says, speaking from his European summer base in Munich, ahead of his appearance in the Aviva London Grand Prix at Crystal Palace next week – he runs in the 200m on Saturday, Bolt in the 100m on Friday. "This guy deserves due respect. What he does out on the track is stuff that other people can't do – whether he slows down, whether he runs through the line. And no one has ever run as fast as him.

"So I give respect where respect's due. And that, right there, motivates me as well, to train harder and be the best I can be and reach goals that no one has ever done before."