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 "It was so stressful, my hair started thinning," Gay told Reuters
via phone as he prepared for this week's U.S. world championships
trials in Eugene, Oregon.
The hair is fine now, maybe even a little longer than when Gay
became a double world sprint champion in 2007 and set the U.S. 100
metres record two years later.
But there is new tension.
"I haven't made a world championship team since 2009 so there is a
lot of pressure on myself to get back," said Gay, who was sidelined
by injury in 2011 and missed the worlds two years later after a
positive test for a banned steroid.
"It would mean the world to me to put on the (team) uniform again."
The 32-year-old is still undecided as to whether he will attempt to
make the team in both the 100 and 200 or just the shorter distance
and will make that decision after the 100 metres final on Friday.
"If I do well enough in the 100, I'll leave well enough alone and
not put the extra pounding on my body," he said of the 200 metres
event, which follows the 100.
"But depending on how I do in the 100, we'll decide if I need to
race in the 200."
Gay last represented the U.S. at the 2012 London Olympics, winning a
silver medal with the 4x100 metres relay team and things went
downhill from there when he lost the medal after testing positive
for a banned substance in 2013.
He controversially received a one-year ban, instead of the usual
two, because he co-operated with the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency and
made a low-key return to athletics last year.
The doping suspension still weighs on him, but a new environment and
new coach have improved his outlook.
The Kentucky-born sprinter has moved to Los Angeles, where he is
trained by John Smith, the coach of former world record holder
Maurice Greene.
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"He has changed my mind-set about harping on the past," Gay said.
"He tells me to take some of the energy and stress that I had and
put it on the track.
"He said don't worry about trying to prove people wrong about the
suspension that you had. Worry about running fast again and
everything else will take care of itself."
The speed is definitely beginning to come back.
His 9.88 seconds in the 100 at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene
last month was the year's fourth fastest time, something that
allowed him to tell himself 'hey I've still got it'.
A new arrival has also brought new happiness.
"I have a son, Tyson Jr., who is 8 months. He's a lot of joy," said
Gay, who also has a 14-year-old daughter.
And living on the West Coast has produced another surprise for the
Southerner.
"The food," said Gay, who has changed his diet to eat more
healthily. "I miss the humidity (of the South) a little bit but as
far as the food, it is the best I have ever had."
(Story refiled to adds dateline)
(Editing by Greg Stutchbury)
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