Walter Dix edges Tyson Gay in 200 at Prefontaine

Walter Dix spoiled Tyson Gay’s return.

Dix won the 200 meters in the Prefontaine Classic at Eugene, Ore., on Saturday in 19.72 seconds, edging Gay by 0.04 of a second.

Gay had not competed since May because of a hamstring injury.

The Prefontaine, which did not include a men’s 100, was a first step toward challenging Jamaican Usain Bolt’s dominance in the sprints.

Bolt, the world-record holder in the 100 and 200, did not compete at Saturday’s meet, part of the elite IAAF Diamond League series.

American Ryan Bailey finished third in the 200 in 20.17.

The Pre, as it is known, is in its 36th year and first as part of the Diamond League, a series of 14 meets worldwide. The event at the University of Oregon’s Hayward Field is named after distance runner Steve Prefontaine, an Olympian killed in a 1977 car accident at 24.

David Oliver won the men’s 110 hurdles in 12.90 seconds, matching the American record set by Dominique Arnold in Lausanne, Switzerland, in 2006.

Jamaican Veronica Campbell-Brown won the women’s 100 in 10.78 seconds, a personal best and the top time in the world this year. She also surpassed the meet record of 10.84 set by Torri Edwards in 2008.

PRO BASKETBALL

Wade, James finish meetings

Dwyane Wade hopes a decision on his future will come this week and said Saturday his new contract will be about more than just where he plays basketball the next few years.

“I’ve got a decision to make, and I’ve got a weekend to think about it,” Wade told Chicago’s NBC-Channel 5. “Hopefully, at the beginning of next week sometime, I’ll make that decision.”

The Chicago native is one of the top prizes in a star-studded, NBA free-agent market that includes LeBron James and Chris Bosh.

Wade met twice with the Bulls last week, had sessions with the New York Knicks and the New Jersey Nets, and also was contacted by Miami. All have enough salary-cap space to land two top-tier free agents, with the Heat possibly in position to bring in two stars to go with Wade.

James finished his meetings with teams interested in signing him on Saturday, talking in Cleveland with the Cavaliers and the Bulls. James did not say publicly when he might make a decision.

New Orleans Hornets President Hugh Weber said there is “no question” that Chris Paul will still be with New Orleans when next season begins.

Weber made the assurances a day after Paul, while hosting his CP3 Foundation golf outing, said that although he considers New Orleans his adopted hometown and loves the city, he would not be interested in remaining with the Hornets long-term if the club fails to demonstrate an immediate commitment to winning.

Weber said the Hornets will be active in free agency and will continue to consult Paul on roster moves, as they have been.

ETC.

Eagles deny Vick report

A person familiar with the team’s thinking says the Philadelphia Eagles are strongly considering releasing Michael Vick.

The person says the team might cut Vick no matter what police conclude during their investigation of a shooting that followed the quarterback’s birthday celebration in Virginia Beach, Va., last month. The person spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation.

The Eagles issued a statement Saturday saying “any report or speculation that suggests the Eagles are considering releasing Vick are not true. We will continue to gather information and monitor the situation and we will not have any further comment until that process is complete.”

Will Power won the pole at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International to lead a sweep of the top three spots by Team Penske, which extended its IndyCar Series record of consecutive poles to eight.

Power covered the 11-turn, 3.4-mile course in 1 minute, 29.3164 seconds and was followed by teammates Helio Castroneves of Brazil and Australian compatriot Ryan Briscoe.

Real Madrid will play an exhibition against Mexico’s Club America at Candlestick Park in San Francisco on Aug. 4.