Quick Track and Field Updates

Recalling the moments last July 5, when everybody in the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials in Eugene, Oregon stood agape as Tyson Gay exhibited a pained expression after spraining his left hamstring in a 200-meter semifinal Saturday. Gay's status is unclear, if he can still be a factor in Beijing. Definitely, if his hamstring injury doesn't linger beyond the estimated two weeks' recovery time. Gay ran the fastest time ever in the 100 at 9.68 seconds and should be in the 4x100 relay. The 100 field also will include Usain Bolt (the world-record holder) and Asafa Powell, so Gay must be at his best.

As the trials concluded on the Sunday that followed -- highlighted by victories from Florida State sprinter Walter Dix and Allyson Felix in the 200, David Oliver in the 110 hurdles and Lola Jones in the 100 hurdles (Winter Garden's Damu Cherry earned a berth by placing second)

Meanwhile, a “breakout star” Muna Lee, whose biography doesn't appear on the USA Track & Field Web site, shocked a field that included Torri Edwards and Felix to win the 100. She placed second in the 200 final.

The top three finishers (Muna Lee, Torri Edwards, and Lauryn Williams) in the said women’s 100m event at the US Olympic Track and Field qualifying meet are going to Beijing.
Lee is a former world champion (2005) and an NCAA runner-up. Williams is also a former world champion. She also won the silver medal in the 100m in Athens.
Edwards, also a former world champion in the 100m, has had her share of difficulties on her road to Beijing. She missed the Athens games in 2004 because she was disqualified for using the stimulent, nikethamide in 2000 games and then was banned from competition for two years. Nikethamide has since been downgraded as a banned substance and Edwards’ suspension was lifted.
Jeremy Wariner lost at the 400 final and still has this to say,” "I'm still the favorite [at the Olympics]. I've been there before, and I know what it takes to win." Wariner is the gold medalist in Athens, but was upset by LaShawn Merritt

The most impressive field athlete this year is Trevell Quinley, who coached himself to first-place finishes in the long jump and decathlon.