Brussels, Belgium – Tyson Gay, the world leader in the 100m, and Caster Semenya, the reigning World 800m champion, met with the media at a press conference in the lead in to Friday’s (27) Memorial Van Damme, the second of two finals of the inaugural 14-meeting Samsung Diamond League series. Below are some of the highlights.

Tyson Gay (USA), 2010 100m world leader at 9.78, 2007 World 100m and 200m champion -

About the absence of Usain Bolt and Asafa Powell:

“Injuries come when you sprint as fast as we do. That is an issue that you have to learn to deal with.”

“Of course you need strong competition to become a better athlete. To me it’s not so much about the pressure that it generates, but because you want to win races. If the conditions are good, I think I’m always able to execute well.”

“The past two years journalists kept on asking me whether it was possible to beat Usain Bolt in the 100m. Since Stockholm nobody ever asked me that question again.”