Tyson Gay coasts in 200 heat

EUGENE, Ore., July 5 (UPI) -- Tyson Gay started his bid for a double gold medal performance Friday and Kara Goucher won the 5,000-meter run at the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials.

Gay ran the fastest 100 meters in history last week, a 9.68 that will not go into the record book because of a tailwind that was over the allowable limit.

Nevertheless, he assumed the favorite's role for next month's Olympics in Beijing and easily advanced in Friday's opening round of the 200 meters by running a time of 20.43 to win his heat.

The quarterfinals and semifinals will be held Saturday and the finals will take place Sunday.

Goucher, who finished second to Shalane Flanagan in the 10,000 meters last week, sprinted past Flanagan in the stretch to capture the 5,000 in 15:01.02. Goucher produced a rare international distance medal for the United States last year when she won a bronze at the World Championships.

Jennifer Rhines finished second in 15:02.02 and Flanagan was third in 15:02.81.

Moments later, Goucher's husband failed to qualify for the Olympic team when he ran seventh in the 10,000. That race was won by Abdi Abdiraham.

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