OSAKA, Japan -- Earlier this season, when his fast times in the 100 meters were causing a buzz in track and field's small world, Tyson Gay asked his technique consultant, Olympic gold medalist Jon Drummond, "Do you think anybody knows who I am?"
"Not many did then," Drummond said Thursday, "but now he is going to have to live with the fact that everyone does."
For The Record
Los Angeles Times Saturday, September 01, 2007 Home Edition Main News Part A Page 2 National Desk 1 inches; 63 words Type of Material: Correction
Track and field: An article on Tyson Gay's victories in the 100 and 200 meters in the world championships in Friday's Sports section said that Maurice Greene was the only other man to have won both events in one world championship meet. Justin Gatlin also did it, in 2005. The article also said Gay's agent was Ed Whetmore; Gay's agent is Mark Wetmore.
One year before the Olympics, the period when his sport briefly regains a place in the USA's consciousness, Gay suddenly has become its highest-profile star -- in the first season he has had a significant profile.
Barring injury or another unforeseen circumstance, Gay will go to the 2008 Beijing Summer Games as the world's premier sprinter, favored to become the first man since Carl Lewis in 1984 to win gold medals in both the 100 and 200 meters.
Gay has won both impressively at the world championships this week, adding the 200 title Thursday -- in a meet record 19.76 seconds -- to the 100 title he won Sunday, when he routed world record-holder Asafa Powell of Jamaica.
Not only is he fast, Gay has a back story that invites curiosity. His coach, Lance Brauman, left prison Tuesday after a 366-day term for a conviction on charges of misappropriating funds at the community college where Gay was among his athletes.
"I don't really like to be the center of attention," Gay said. "But I'm learning how to take care of it, and sometimes it's fun."
It was when Japanese children recognized him at a local McDonald's this week and asked for his autograph. "It was great," Gay said. "I don't get that at home."
Ironically, being a U.S. track star also could be a good thing for Gay, of Fayetteville, Ark. NBC has decided swimming and gymnastics will be the focal point of its Olympic coverage, so Gay likely will not have to deal with the promotional drumbeat threatening to deafen swimmer Michael Phelps.
But leading U.S. Olympic athletes generally cash in more the year before the Olympics than after them. So Gay's agent, Ed Whetmore of Global Athletics and Marketing, will have to balance opportunity against potential distraction.
"You've got to want the heat, and you can't want to hide. You have to accept the spotlight and keep it in perspective," veteran track coach John Smith said. "You get all the stuff you want, and some stuff you don't want comes with it."
