I confirmed with Florida Head Coach Mike Holloway this morning that Tyson Gay will be opening his season tomorrow in Florida running the 400 meters at the Tom Jones Memorial Classic in Gainesville. Tyson opened similarly last year when he ran a 400 in Arizona (46.34) then ran another in Texas scooting 45.57.

Tomorrow Tyson will get a good test as he will be competing against NCAA indoor finalists Tony McQuay (FL) & Calvin Smith (FL) as well as Beijing finalist Reny Quow (TRI). Gay had surgery on last year’s groin injury, and from what I’ve heard has been training well. So tomorrow should give us a good view of his fitness.

The 400 meters has become the standard early in the season as the top sprinters look to hone their strength and speed endurance. It served Gay well last year as he had multiple entries into the all time lists – turning in an AR 9.69 (as well as 9.71 and 9.77 efforts) in the 100 and a personal best 19.58 in the 200, in spite of the groin troubles.

I’m looking forward to Tyson’s opening tomorrow and am sure that it will bode well for an outstanding season.