Adam Gemili from Dartford. Picture by DECA TEXT&BILD

Second fastest man in history labels Dartford’s Gemili phenomenal

Sprinting superstar Tyson Gay has tipped Dartford’s Adam Gemili to be world of the world’s greatest athletes.

The former 100m and 200m world record holder was left hugely impressed with the way the 18-year-old cruised to the World Junior 100m title in Barcelona on Wednesday night.

Gemili became the fastest Brit ever for his age with a gold-winning time of 10.05s, eclipsing Dwain Chambers record of 10.06s set 15 years ago. It also broke his PB of 10.08s which he set just a month before in Germany when he came to the world’s attention.

“Phenomenal. It was phenomenal,” Gay told the Guardian. “At 18, that’s quite impressive. I think he’s going to be around for a while, I think he’s going to be one of the greatest sprinters of all-time, man, watching that race. He done it at the big show and that’s where it counts.”

Asked if he believes Gemili could make the 100m Olympic final, the 29-year-old said: “I don’t think it’s too much too soon, because I think anything can happen.

“I just think he has to continue what he’s doing. Don’t change nothing, you understand? You tweak a few things but you don’t change nothing. He’s still rough, he’s still new to all this so I don’t think you should throw a lot at him.

“I think he’s going to get a lot of attention but as long as he understands and has a good team around him, I think he’ll be a great athlete for the future.”

Gay was impressed that Gemili had only started running seriously earlier this year: “He’s just started running? That’s probably more impressive than anything. For him to pick up the start, the reaction, the drive phase, the finish, in a year. It wasn’t perfect but it was damn near.

“For him to do that in a year shows he is a fast learner. And to be running track you have to be a quick learner. You have to come out the blocks, keep focused, react, keep your head down, all at one time in the big show.

“For him to be able to do that shows he has some talent. Maybe I can get some tips from him because of the great way he executed. He had a great drive phase, came up patient, he did a lot of things I’m working on which I don’t know why it’s so hard for me to get. He nailed it, man. And he has a lot more potential in the 200.”