Gay qualifies for semifinal at 100 meters

FAYETTEVILLE – In the only event Saturday featuring current and former Razorback men, Tyson Gay was the eighth-fastest qualifier in the first round of the 100 meters at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. He won his heat to secure an automatic spot into the semifinal round of the event. Current Razorback student-athlete Marek Niit also competed at 100 meters but did not advance past the first round.

Running the opening heat of the day into a headwind, Gay took the tape in a time of 10.08 to safely clinch a berth into Sunday’s semifinal. Gay is making his second appearance at the Olympic Games, and is in search of his first Olympic medal. Both the semifinal and final will be run Sunday with the first race scheduled for 1:45 p.m. (CT). The final will then be run at 3:50 p.m.

“I felt pretty good,” Gay said in a post-race interview. “I didn’t feel any pain. I did what I wanted to do. I gave it about 75 percent I think, at 60-70 meters I let up a little.”

In his Olympic debut, Niit finished seventh in heat six with a first-round time of 10.40. He finished in 41st place overall in the event. Niit, representing his native Estonia, is also scheduled to compete at 200 meters. That event is set to begin Tuesday.

To follow Arkansas’ progress in London, follow @RazorbackTF on Twitter or visit the 2012 Olympic Central page at ArkansasRazorbacks.com.

Saturday Results
100 Meters (first round)
8. Tyson Gay – 10.08Q
41. Marek Niit – 10.40

Q – qualified for next round