Bolt takes aim at sprint rival Gay

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Olympic champion Usain Bolt said American sprint rival Tyson Gay "probably just hates my guts" because he has dominated major championships.

Bolt won both the 100 and 200-meter titles at the 2008 Olympics in world-record times, and helped Jamaica win gold and set another world record in the 4x100-meter relay.

A year later, he again set world records in the 100 and 200 at the world championships in Berlin.

"I think Tyson sits at home and cusses me," Bolt told BBC radio on Wednesday. "He just really gets upset because every time he runs fast, I run faster than he does. At the world championship he ran 9.71 and that's the fastest a US athlete has ever run and he was still cussing. So deep down I think he probably just hates my guts."

The 24-year-old Bolt hadn't lost an individual race in two years until last month, when Gay beat him in Stockholm in a 100-meter race.

"It's no stress. This year is not a championship year, this is my year off I would say, so it is no problem," Bolt said. "I am always ready, prepared and on top of my game (at the championships)."

Bolt says that he doesn't speak to the 28-year-old Gay away from the track.

"We are cool but we aren't the best of friends," Bolt said.

On Wednesday, Gay ran 9.92 seconds to win the 100m at the Zagreb World Challenge in Croatia, leaving Jamaican rival Nesta Carter trailing in second in 10.07.

Gay and Carter are tied for the world lead at 9.78 - Gay reached it in London in August and Carter in Rieti last Sunday. Michael Rodgers of the United States was third in 10.14 seconds.

Gay said he and Carter briefly clashed hands, preventing him from recording a quicker time.

"I expected a better time," he said, before admitting the collision was his fault.

Dwight Phillips of US easily scored another long jump victory with 7.85 meters. The Diamond League champ and triple world champion was closely followed by Luis Felipe Meliz of Spain with 7.84.

American Nick Symmonds scored victory in the men's 800 in one minute, 45.37, although the result was far below the personal best of 1:43.76 he reached in Rieti last Sunday.

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