Tyson Gay wins Jesse Owens Award

US sprinter Tyson Gay

Sprinters Tyson Gay and Sanya Richards earned their second Jesse Owens Awards on Thursday as USA Track & Field’s athletes of the year.

Gay previously received the honour in 2007 and Richards in 2006.

USATF CEO Doug Logan said Gay and Richards “rank among this country’s all-time great track athletes.”

Gay tied or lowered his American record in the 100 metres three times in three months this year, with a best of 9.69 seconds. That tied him with world record-holder Usain Bolt for the second-fastest time in history.

Gay also ran the 200 in 19.58 this year, the fifth-fastest time ever. Richards won the 400 and ran the anchor leg to help the U.S. capture the 4x400 relay at this year’s world championships.