Pressure heightens for Gay in Olympic preparation

By Mark Lamport-Stokes

CARSON, California (Reuters) - Double world sprint champion Tyson Gay is already feeling the pressure of expectation in his build-up to the Olympics Games in August.

Although the softly-spoken American ruled the roost at last year's world championships by winning both the 100 meters and the 200, he is wary of entering uncharted territory in Beijing.

"I am real nervous about this year," Gay, 25, told reporters at the Home Depot Center on Thursday in the build-up to Sunday's Adidas Track Classic.

"I have never been to the Olympics before so I don't really know what to expect.

"People tell me: 'Hey, in the world champs, you can look to the right of you and see some empty stands, look to the left and see a few empty stands.

"But when the Olympics come, I was told in the morning rounds you are going to see thousands of people in the stands and in the evening rounds, you are going to see stands completely full.

"So I just have to stay focused and try to worry about myself," added Gay, who has set his sights on becoming the first man to win Olympic gold over 100 and 200 since compatriot Carl Lewis in 1984.

"I really believe, if I get sidetracked, anybody can knock me out. In the 100-metre dash, you never know the outcome because it is the Olympics and a lot of people will step up to the plate."  Continued...