By Gary Smith, World-Track
STOCKHOLM — American world champion Tyson Gay will get another stab at former world record holder Asafa Powell before the World Championships with the pair set to clash over another 100 metres at DN Galan at Stockholm Olympic Stadium Friday, July 31.
Gay and Powell, who last raced at the Gala in Rome last Friday, will both be on show at next week’s London Grand Prix but will line up in different events.
"Tyson Gay against Asafa Powell is a duel that all meetings dream of and it is fantastic that we have it," said meeting director Rajne Söderberg. "But we also have seven of the world’s fastest men, among them three of the finalists at the Beijing Olympics."
Gay matched his personal best and American record in Rome when he blasted 9.77seconds to beat Powell (9.88) and he is hoping for another good showing before defending his sprint titles in Berlin.
"After London I will run my final 100 metre race at the Olympic Stadium before heading to the World Championships in Berlin," said Tyson.
"It’s exciting to come to a meet where they award a special gift like the diamond for a Stadium record. I hope Rajne Söderberg has to give out ten diamonds at the meet. If I happen to be lucky enough to win one, I would give it to my little girl Trinity.
"The track is fast, but the fans and conditions are the reasons for world records. I’m sure everyone is lining up to run their personal best as myself.
"To eliminate the track, the part of the Stadium that has given it its rich history and make it into a soccer only Stadium, does not seem right," he added.
Powell, who has a personal best of 9.72secs, achieved last season following a dismal showing in the flat event in Beijing, has the DN Galan current Stadium record of 9.86.
He established the mark in a fantastic 2006 season when he dipped under 10-seconds 12 times, including twice times at 9.77, which was a previous world record of his.