Dix pulls up with hamstring in semis of 100, joining Gay on the sideline

Olympic bronze medalist Dix pulls up with injury

EUGENE, Ore. — Olympic bronze medalist Walter Dix joined Tyson Gay on the sideline for the marquee race of the U.S. championships Friday night.

After a slow start and a struggle to catch up in the semifinal round of the 100, Dix pulled up holding his right hamstring just short of the finish line. He then hobbled off the track.

Gay didn’t even line up, keeping his vow to run only one race at the championships. Gay was using the championships as a tune up. He ran a wind-aided time of 9.75 in prelims Thursday, then left, having already qualified for this summer’s world championships in Berlin in both the 100 and 200.

Dix hasn’t qualified, and when asked if he could compete in the 200 later this weekend, he shook his head no. Dix also won a bronze medal in the 200 at the Beijing Games.

Also not advancing to the finals of the 100 was Allyson Felix, which isn’t a surprise since her signature event is the 200. She got off to what she called an “atrocious” start, falling way behind the field and finishing fifth in her heat.

Carmelita Jeter sped down the track in a wind-aided 10.72 seconds, the fastest time in any conditions in nearly 10 years.

Dix’s injury now makes the 100 men’s finals a race between Shawn Crawford, Travis Padgett, Darvis Patton and the new kid in the blocks, Mike Rodgers.

Rodgers had the top time in the 100, finishing in 9.85 seconds with a gust of wind at his back.

David Oliver, the bronze medalist in the 110 hurdles in Beijing, didn’t compete Friday due to a strained calf.

Wearing a hot pink top and matching shoes, Sanya Richards expended little effort in her semifinal heat of the 400, easing up well before the finish line. She has the two fastest times in the world this season, including a 49.57-second performance in Berlin two weeks ago.

“I’m really confident. Really positive,” Richards said. “This year I’m trying to forget it’s nationals. I just want have fun with my friends and my family and I think it’s working.”

Like Richards, LaShawn Merritt looked strong in the semis, the Olympic champion winning his heat of the 400 by 0.52 seconds. Kerron Clement had the fastest time, though, finishing in 45.08 in taking his heat.

Trey Hardee was running away with the decathlon, amassing a big lead heading into the final event — the 1,500-meter run — later this evening.

Missing from the field was Bryan Clay, the Olympic gold medalist who pulled out of the decathlon competition Thursday with an injured left hamstring. It’s a decision that will cost him a spot at the world championships.