By Kevin Fylan
STUTTGART, Germany, Sept 10 - Tyson Gay equalled
the third fastest time ever run in the 200 metres to clinch
victory in 19.68 seconds on the closing day of the World
Athletics Final on Sunday.
The American, disappointed to lose out again to Asafa Powell
in the 100 on Saturday, came back on day two to win with a
searing run on the fast green track at the
Gottlieb-Daimler-Stadion.
Only Michael Johnson (19.32) and Xavier Carter (19.63) have
run faster over the distance, with Gay's time equalling that of
Frankie Fredericks in Johnson's record-breaking race at the
Atlanta Olympics.
"My God, that was kind of scary," Gay said after bringing
the 28,000 Stuttgart crowd to its feet. "This is incredible. I'm
so happy."
Gay finished 0.2 seconds ahead of his countryman Wallace
Spearmon, running a personal best.
The best hope of a world record on Sunday had looked to be
from Yelena Isinbayeva in the pole vault but the Russian did not
get close to claiming the $100,000 bonus on offer, although she
won her event comfortably enough.
The world and Olympic champion, who holds the record at
5.01m, came in with a clean jump at 4.60 and waited to see what
the opposition could do.
Monika Pyrek of Poland went over at 4.65 but failed in her
three attempts at 4.70. With the American Jennifer Stuczynski
also failing at the height, Isinbayeva was left needing to clear
4.75 to win the event.
She managed it at the second attempt but could not get over
4.85.
"The conditions were right but unfortunately I was too
tired," Isinbayeva said. "I have three more competitions this
year and I'm not injured, so don't worry. I still have the world
record in mind."