Sport: Track and field
Country: United States
Birth Date: Aug. 9, 1982
Height: 5-11
Weight: 165

Trying Olympic Trials

Tyson Gay struggled at the U.S. Olympic track trials, where an injury forced him out of the 200m. Gay, the reigning world champion in the event, fell to the ground with a cramp during the 200m heats. Because Gay did not finish in the top three in the event, he did not qualify to race in the 200m in Beijing. However, earlier in the trials, Gay set an American record en route to winning the 100m, an event he will be a gold-medal contender in at the Olympics.

Career Highlights

Gay had a dominating season in 2007, winning three gold medals at the World Championships. The U.S. sprinter was first in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay, becoming just the third sprinter in history -- along with Maurice Greene and Justin Gatlin -- to win both the 100m and 200m at Worlds. Gay's win in the 100m came over world-record holder Asafa Powell, who has emerged as his main rival heading into the Beijing Games.

Fast Beginnings

Gay credits his sister, Tiffany, as helping him gain speed when he was younger. Gay says that Tiffany, who is a year older, was always faster than him, and it wasn't until he was 14 that he was finally quicker than her. Gay's speed soon earned him numerous accolades as he won three 100m state titles and became the first athlete in University of Arkansas history to win an NCAA 100m title.

Personal

The sprinter attends the University of Arkansas, where he is majoring in marketing. He has a daughter, Trinity, who lives in Lexington, Ky. His mother is Daisy Lowe.