PHILADELPHIA, USA - American sprinter Tyson Gay was refreshingly candid in his opinion of 100m world record holder Asafa Powell's dominance of the event and what it will take to topple him from his pedestal.

GAY ... I am really working hard and I am sure Asafa wants more competition (Photo: Paul Reid)

The 24-year-old former University of Arkansas athlete told a press conference held in the Dunning Centre on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia last Friday afternoon, that unless Powell makes a mistake, he will be hard to beat this year.

Gay's honesty flies in the face of the usually brash, cocky profile presented by American sprinters and came against a background earlier this year when former world record holder Maurice Greene said he knew what it took to beat Powell.

Gay made the comments at a press conference that was called the day before the USA vs the World events that were held at the 113th Penn Relays. While Gay and former Arkansas teammate Wallace Spearman and Olympic Games 200m champion Shawn Crawford were included in the US teams, Greene was not among those invited this year.

When asked if he thinks he will be the next major challenger to Powell, Gay said, "I hope so. I am really working hard and I am sure Asafa wants more competition. I want this to be a rivalry. I want to step up to the plate."

Gay said he was really looking forward to running against Powell at the Penn Relays, but the Jamaican pulled out due to a slight injury.
Powell had also withdrawn from another meet in the US, the previous week when he declined to run in the 4x100m relay at the Mount San Antonio College (Mt SAC) Relays in Modesto, California, citing cool conditions.

The American, who has personal best times of 9.84 seconds and 19.68 seconds in the 100m and 200m, respectively, both set last year, said he was disappointed that Powell was not in Philadelphia.

Gay admitted he had a lot of respect for Powell, being quoted in the Philadelphia Inquirer on Sunday as saying: "I don't know if I'd say he was a friend, but we speak and we joke around. I really respect him as an athlete and as a person. He carries himself in a very humble way."

The Lexington, Kentucky native said he was hoping that soon Powell would not be the overwhelming favourite going into every meet and that there will be serious competition soon, adding, according to the Inquirer, "I just know the fans are looking forward to seeing him (Powell)".

Tastee Talent Trail finalists prepare for the big night

Are You Afraid Of Your Financial Future?

Good support in Bounty Hall for Heineken's 'Bond' road show