Gay MRI reveals mild strain; training limited for two weeks

EUGENE, Ore. -- Sprinter Tyson Gay has a mild strain in a muscle in
the back of his left leg, and he has been told to restrict himself to
light physical activity for the next two weeks.Gay pulled up
abruptly in the first 40 meters of his 200-meter qualifying race
Saturday at the U.S. Olympic track and field trials and had to be
carted off the track. He was diagnosed with a severe cramp in his
hamstring, and an MRI that afternoon revealed the strain.A
statement from his representatives said Sunday he is "expected to
engage in 'active rest' for up to 12-14 days, with light physical
activity increasing through that period, then resume training."The only meet he is signed up for before the Olympics is the 100 meters at the London Grand Prix on July 24-25.Gay,
the defending world champion in the 100 and 200, already has qualified
for the Olympic 100 meters. That competition begins Aug. 15 in Beijing.
If he can run, he also would be expected to be part of the 400-meter
relay team.Bubba Thornton, head coach of the U.S. men's team,
said he saw Gay on Sunday morning, but didn't divulge any details of
his condition."He has an injury, and I'm very confident that
he's going to be in place when they say 'On your mark'" in Beijing,
Thornton said.He wouldn't get specific when asked what kind of readiness Gay must show to be included on the relay team.Regardless,
Gay's shot at a 200 medal is gone. USA Track and Field rules state only
the top three finishers qualify for the Olympics, regardless of a
runner's past record or any injuries.The concept behind the selection process has become a topic of debate since Gay's injury.In
other sports, there is room for injury petitions. For instance, in
gymnastics, defending all-around gold medalist Paul Hamm broke a bone
in his hand in the first round of nationals, an injury that forced him
to drop out of that event and miss Olympic trials. However, he was
placed on the team provided he shows he's ready at a training camp in
two weeks.There is no such process in track, even though in
Gay's case it could cost the United States a gold medal. USATF does it
that way to avoid politics and other subjective criteria."What
you'd end up having is athletes perhaps in other events feigning
injuries to gain access," USATF president Bill Roe said. "So you can't
really take injury into account. I don't think that's one of the
criteria we'd use in any case."
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i cant wait for the 100m. Usain Bolt v gay v Asafa Powell. it should be a classic
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