Gay set for Moscow double

Tyson Gay runs to victory in the 200m on the fourth day of the 2013 USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships at Drake Stadium on Sunday in Des Moines, Iowa. Andy Lyons / Getty Images / AFP

Sprinter rockets to year's fastest 200m, setting up clash with Bolt

Mentally, Tyson Gay is now in a good place. Physically, too.

That's the healing power of running fast at nationals.

Once and for all, Gay put to rest any questions about his surgically repaired hip as he completed the 100-200 sprint double Sunday at the US track championships, winning the 200 meters in 19.74 seconds.

It is the fastest time in the world this season. Gay also beat Justin Gatlin in the 100 on Friday in a season-leading time of 9.75.

"I'm pretty tired," Gay said. "I'm just glad I'm leaving the race healthy."

With his strong performance, Gay delivered an emphatic message to the rest of the world, and more specifically Usain Bolt: The Gay of old is back. Not the version hobbled by nagging injuries over the years, but the one who captured the 100 and 200 titles at the 2007 world championships.

"I'm just happy to be healthy," Gay said. "It feels good, man."

It should be quite a show when he meets up with Bolt at worlds in Moscow in August. Not that Gay is thinking any farther than icing down his legs after an exhausting weekend.

"I'm just focused on myself right now," Gay said. "It's no secret Usain Bolt is obviously the greatest of all time. He's definitely going to be prepared."

Before climbing into the blocks for the 200 final, Gay took two big breaths, stretched his hip and sipped on some water. When the gun sounded, Gay flew out of the blocks and built up a sizable lead after the curve - just like Gay used to do.

His work wasn't done, though, as he had to fend off the hard-charging Isiah Young, who finished second in 19.86. Curtis Mitchell, the training partner of Gay, was third to grab the last spot in the 200, while Wallace Spearmon, a three-time US outdoor champion, wound up a disappointing fourth.

"You win some, you lose some, and I lost today," Spearmon said. "Congratulations to those guys. No excuses. I'm going to go home and work hard."

To think, Gay almost skipped the 200. Given his recent history with his hip, Gay didn't want to tax it too much, and that win over Gatlin in the 100 definitely took a lot out of him.

The morning after the 100 race, the hip felt just fine, so he elected to run the opening 200 heat on Saturday. That night, Gay had an ultrasound on his hip, to see where the scar tissue was and then have it worked on.

"That worked out well for me," Gay said.

Certainly did. This was his fastest 200 in quite some time.

"It does help me mentally, to get ready for Moscow," Gay said.

There was a little dispute, though, as some questioned whether or not Gay stepped out of his lane in a semifinal heat Sunday afternoon. He advanced to the final, and afterward dismissed such speculation.

"Someone may have mentioned it to me, but I didn't pay any attention," Gay said.

With that, he will double at worlds, feeling as good as he has in a long time.

"Tyson was very impressive. I'm glad to see it," former Olympic champion Maurice Greene said. "I know what he's went through, because I've talked to him numerous times on the phone, been to his house. I've talked to him for hours and hours. I know how he feels. To finally come back and be healthy, I'm so proud of him."

In the women's 200, Kimberlyn Duncan upset Olympic champion Allyson Felix. Duncan finished in a wind-aided 21.80, with Felix 0.05 seconds behind. Jeneba Tarmoh was third.