By Symone Goss, World-Track
STOCKHOLM — Reigning World Champion Tyson Gay believes the result from his 100 metres at the DN Gala in Stockholm on Friday, will more than likely determine the outcome of his title defense in Berlin next month.
The American is currently nursing a groin injury, which has left short cuts in his preparations for the IAAF World Championships.
But despite the slight niggled, Gay said he is feeling good and a solid performance against former World record holder Asafa Powell in the Olympic Stadium would definitely place him on the right path for something special in Berlin.
"The race tomorrow is very important,” Gay said during a press conference on Thursday.
“If I get a good result I know I am going to do something nice in Berlin."
Gay added that the groin injury that will require surgery, following the world championships, is feeling better each day.
"It’s (groin) little sore, but I haven’t done any speedwork. I am taking one day at the time."
Meanwhile, Powell, who last year defeated world record holder Usain Bolt by one-hundredth of a second, feels he is ready to race again, after some tired legs saw him finishing sixth to Bolt in London on Friday.
"I was very tired in London, not really prepared to race,” Powell said. “But my training has been going very well this week. I’ll try to focus on my execution."
Powell starts as the 2008 champion, but he also won at the 2006 and 2007 editions.
The last time he faced Gay at this meeting, the Jamaican clocked a stadium record of 9.86 seconds for victory.
