INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana, CMC – Their sprinting pride severely dented by Jamaica’s awesome performance at the Beijing Olympics a year ago, USA’s track officials are eager to restore honour this summer and the superb Tyson Gay heads their roster for the IAAF World Championship in Berlin this month. Gay, the reigning sprint double champion, is among eight title-holders announced Tuesday on the US squad for the August 15-23 World Championship. In Beijing, Gay – below peak form coming off an injury – failed to win a medal while the Jamaicans, majestically led by Usain Bolt, swept every sprint gold medal on offer in the Birds Nest with the exception of the women’s sprint relay that Russian won. Other American gold medallists from the Osaka 2007 World Championship returning for glory in Berlin are Bernard Lagat, Allyson Felix, Jeremy Wariner, Kerron Clement, Michelle Perry, Reese Hoffa and Brad Walker. This will be the first time Team USA will be returning to Berlin for a major international championship since the 1936 Olympic Games, where National Track & Field Hall of Famer Jesse Owens won gold medals in the 100 metres, 200m, 4×100-metre relay and long jump.
