Tyson Gay runs to victory in the 200 meters at the 2013 USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships at Drake Stadium in Des Moines, Iowa on Sunday. Photo: AFP

Tyson Gay rocketed to the year's fastest 200 meters, clocking 19.74 seconds at the 2013 USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships on Sunday to set up a double sprint clash with Olympic gold medalist Usain Bolt at August's world championships.

The big victory came two days after Gay ran a world-leading 9.75 seconds to win the 100 meters at the US meeting in Des Moines, Iowa.

"It feels good to do that," said the 2007 triple world champion who has been beset by numerous injuries since then. "I am just happy to be healthy."

Gay refused, however, to be drawn into any predictions as to how the US sprinters would stack up when the world's best gather.

"I am going to do the best I can," Gay said. "I can't speak for the other guys but I am going to go out there and give it my best."

Weary after his 100 meters victory, Gay had said he would consider dropping the 200 meters if he felt it threatened his fitness.

Securing the double, and emerging healthy, was a mental and physical boost.

"A little bit of pride, a little bit of ego," he said of opting to go for it in the 200 meters. "I didn't want to give up on myself."

Barring any injuries, the win assured that Gay will meet Bolt in both the 100 and 200 meters at the August 10-18 championships in Moscow, after Bolt won the 100 meters at the Jamaican championships in Kingston on Friday night. He was given a wild card bye into the championship's 200 meters.

Both also will run the 4x100 meters relay for their nations in Moscow.

Jamaican sprinters have dominated the Americans in the past two Olympic Games and world championships.

Gay, who displaced Bolt as the year's fastest 200 meters runner, would not be drawn into a war of words over whether the US sprinters were ready to end Jamaica's streak.

"It's no secret Usain Bolt is obviously the greatest of all time," Gay said.

"He's definitely going to be prepared."

Gay's triumph overshadowed losses by Olympic champions Aries Merritt and Allyson Felix on the final day of the tournament.

World 110 meters hurdle record holder Merritt, coming back from a hamstring injury, finished third behind Ryan Wilson and David Oliver but still made the US team.

Wilson ran 13.08 followed by Oliver at 13.11 and Merritt in 13.23, with only the top three finishers in each event qualifying for the worlds.

Collegiate champion Kimberlyn Duncan upset Felix in the women's 200, winning in a wind-assisted 21.80 seconds to Felix's 21.85.

Olympian Duane Solomon took the men's 800 meters final in a world-leading 1 minute 43.27 seconds, and London Olympic Games gold medalist Jenn Suhr dominated the women's pole vault, clearing 4.70 meters.

Agencies - Global Times