Kobe and Tyson: A mutual admiration society

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BEIJING -- Sprinter Tyson Gay is the American record holder in the 100-meter dash and a contender for Olympic gold despite a hamstring tear he suffered at the U.S. trials, but on Monday he sounded more like a kid who is having the time of his life.

Asked during a news conference what the experience of competing here means to him, Gay mentioned the camaraderie he has enjoyed while meeting athletes from other sports. One encounter, in particular, stunned him.

‘I met Kobe Bryant,’ Gay said, incredulously. ‘He came up to me and asked me how my leg was doing, and that was like crazy, you know.’

Gay, as unassuming and modest as most sprinters are brash, seemed unable to grasp why Bryant would ask about him.

‘We were in the gymnasium, and I asked him if I could take a picture with him for my memories,’ Gay said. ‘He said, ‘I’m going to check you out and keep you in my heart.’

‘I texted my mom and said, ‘Kobe Bryant is on my left.’ She couldn’t believe it. He’s a huge superstar, especially over here.’

Gay also said he took note of where Bryant was walking during the parade of nations during Friday’s opening ceremony and told U.S. men’s track coach Bubba Thornton, ‘I need to get near Kobe so I can get on TV.’

He said Thornton told him to stay where he was and that the cameras would find him -- as indeed, they did.

--Helene Elliott