Tyson Gay fails to qualify

Tyson Gay said his explosive higher gear "just wasn't there," so Gay won't be there when the men's 100-meter final goes off later this morning.

Gay ran the fastest 100 in history at the U.S. Olympic trials in June -- it was wind-aided and didn't count as the world record -- but pulled a hamstring while running the 200 meters.

He has said the hamstring was healthy enough for his much awaited showdown with Jamaicans Usain Bolt and Asafa Powell in the Olympic final.

But Gay failed to qualify in his semifinal heat this morning, finishing fifth in 10.05 seconds. The final qualifying time was 10.03, just 2/100ths of a second faster.

"I don't have any excuses," Gay said. "My hamstring feels good. I wasn't too overwhelmed by being in the Olympics. It's just one of those things that happens. I was just trying to get my rhythm but I couldn't."

Bolt, the world record holder, won the first semifinal easily, coasting the last 10 meters. Powell won the second.

It was clear Gay was in trouble after about 40 meters. Running in the outside lane, he didn't seem to recognize where he was in the field until it was too late. He tried to turn on the burners, but nothing came.

"I got a good start," Gay said. "Once they shot the gun, I felt like I had a good start. I couldn't really see anybody. I got tight a little bit, because I was trying to make it to the finals. Then I saw everybody and I was like, damn.

"At the same time, I was relaxed. It just wasn't there."

Americans Walter Dix and Darvis Patton qualified for the final.

"They're going to do great," Gay said. "Walter's a young guy, he's fearless. Darvis is the same way. I'm proud of both of them. They both deserve it. Darvis is the veteran who's never been here before. Walter is the new kid on the block and he deserves to be here."

They will have to post their best times in order to medal in this field, which also includes Trinidad's Richard Thompson and Marc Burns, as well as Churandy Martina of Dutch Antilles.

Bolt, who set the world record in New York in June with a run of 9.72, is considered the favorite to win today. Powell, a former world record holder, is his main competition.

With Gay peaking at the time of his injury, the 100-meter final shaped up to be one of the signature events of these Games.

It will be diminished somewhat by the absence of one of the marquee names.

"I'm pretty upset," Gay said. "When I get back to the (athletes village), it's really going to set in. My family's here. They've been supporting me and praying for me. I feel like I let them down."

Contact columnist Phil Sheridan at 215-854-2844 or psheridan@phillynews.com. Read his recent work at http://go.philly.com/philsheridan.