Gay grabs morale-boosting win ahead of Olympics

London, July 14 (IANS/CMC) Former World champion American Tyson Gay continued his comeback ahead of the Olympics with an important morale-boosting win in the men's 100 metres at the London Grand Prix here Friday.

Gay clocked 10.03 seconds to finish ahead of fellow American Ryan Bailey (10.09) while Jamaican Nesta Carter finished third in 10.13. Jamaican Michael Frater was fourth in 10.15, CMC reports.

Gay, who has been sidelined by injury for most of the year, is eyeing gold at the London Olympics starting July 27.

"I feel pretty good with the win. The weather wasn't that bad, it's very important to acclimatise and the weather helps me prepare mentally for the Games," said Gay.

"I'm in pretty good shape - I want that Olympic gold."

He is expected to challenge the Jamaican pair of Usain Bolt and Yohan Blake who have been installed as early favourites.

In the women's 200m, Jamaican Anneisha Mclaughlin clocked 22.81 seconds to finish second behind winner, American Charonda Williams in 22.75.

Bianca Knight was third in 23 seconds while Jamaicans Aleen Bailey (23.18) and Sherone Simpson (23.20) were fourth and sixth respectively.

Meanwhile, reigning Olympic 400m hurdles champion Melaine Walker of Jamaica finished a disappointing fourth in that event in a time of 55.45 seconds as Great Britain's Perri Shakes-Drayton took victory in 53.77 seconds.

Walker's fellow countryman Kaliese Spencer was third in 55.08.

--IANS/CMC

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