Gay convinced he will close the gap on Bolt in 2010

TYSON Gay, the sprinter with the dubious honour of being the world's second fastest man, is convinced he will close the gap on sprint king Usain Bolt in 2010.

FULLY FOCUSED: Tyson Gay is set to use the new-look Diamond League events this season to close the gap on sprint king Usain Bolt (Getty Images)

The 27-year-old, who equalled Bolt's former world record of 9.69 seconds in Shanghai last September, has confirmed his participation at both British legs of the 14-stage Diamond League series in Gateshead and Crystal Palace.

As Bolt has made his habitual slow start to the season, making sporadic appearances on the track, Gay has already been catching they eye, clocking 44.89 seconds over 400m earlier this month in Florida.

That made him the first man in history to dip under ten seconds over 100m, 20 seconds over 200m and 45 seconds over 400m.

Gay was hampered with a groin injury last year that resulted in him pulling out of the 200m at the World Championships in Berlin, having collected silver over 100m behind Bolt.