Gay to miss Brussels clash

World champion Tyson Gay will miss the 100metres head-to-head duel with Olympic gold medalist Usain Bolt and Asafa Powell at the Memorial Van Damme meeting in Brussels on Friday night.

Gay, who failed to make last month's 100m final in Beijing, is not fully race-fit and does not wish to hinder the hamstring injury he picked up at the US trials in June.

"It will be chilly on Friday evening and I really would not like to be injured again," he said.

"I have been having issues nearly all summer and I wasn't able to run at my best at the Olympics."

"Another injury could jeopardise my preparation for next year's world championships in Berlin."

"I'm so sorry, I really would have loved to be part of this super race but I will be back here next year and I will be at my best."

Gay will be replaced by the Frenchman Ronald Pognon.