Gay pulls out

EUGENE, Oregon (AP):

Tyson Gay pulled out of the 100 metres of the US nationals yesterday because of a hip injury, a move likely to keep one of the top challengers to Usain Bolt on the sideline for the World Championships.

Gay, who has struggled with injuries this season, ran a sluggish preliminary race in the 100m on Thursday and complained of an injured right hip.

As he was preparing to warm up for yesterday's semi-finals, Gay's hip started bothering him. About 30 minutes before the start of his race, he said he would not run.

Gay is also on the start list for the 200m, but previously said he wouldn't compete at the longer distance. If he doesn't line up for that race, he would not be eligible to compete in the sprints at the World Championships later this summer.

It would deprive the US team of its top sprinter over the last several years - the 2007 world champion in the 100m and 200m and the American record holder with a time of 9.69 seconds. And it would be a significant setback in Gay's quest to catch Bolt, with the London Olympics only 13 months away.

But it would also open up another spot on the team, possibly for Justin Gatlin, who is back at the US nationals after a four-year doping ban and running well. He won his semi-final heat in a wind-aided 9.99 seconds and was on the start list for last night's final.