Tyson Gay: 5 Things To Know About The Olympic Sprinter Whose Daughter Was Shot & Killed

Who Is Tyson Gay
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The sports world is sending love to Olympic sprinter Tyson Gay, as he tragically lost his daughter Trinity Gay after she was shot and killed in Kentucky in the early hours of Oct. 16. Find out more about Tyson right here.

1. He was tight with his daughter.

Tyson told Lexington news station LEX18‘s Alan Cutler that he was “very close” with Trinity, and had just spent time with her the week before her death when she visited him for her fall break. The 34-year-old runner said he was “so confused” by the shooting, as Tyson had “no idea what happened.” He almost immediately flew back to Lexington upon hearing the sad news of Trinity’s death.

2. He was raising his daughter to be an all-star sprinter just like her dad.

Tyson’s close relationship with his daughter resulted in his passion — and talent — rubbing off on her. Before Trinity, 15, died, she competed as a sprinter for Lafayette High School in Lexington, Ky., finishing in the top five in both the 100m and 200m at the state track meet in May this year. Apparently Tyson also gave Trinity a love for relays, as she competed in the 4×200 as well.

3. He attended the same high school as Trinity.

Although Tyson doesn’t live in Lexington anymore, he grew up there and also attended Lafayette like Trinity. In fact, he set a state record for the 100m in 2001 (the year Trinity was born) that still stands today!

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4. He’s the second fastest man in history.

Behind the world’s fastest man, Usain Bolt, Tyson has proved to be the second best runner in the world and the fastest man in American history. He still holds the U.S. record for the 100m.

5. He’s competed in the last three Summer Olympic games.

After setting records in high school and beyond, Tyson earned a spot on the 2008, 2012, and 2016 Summer Olympics track teams. His 4×100-meter relay team managed to win the silver medal in 2012, but he was ultimately stripped of it when he tested positive for steroids the next year. Unfortunately he couldn’t make up for that in Rio in 2016, as his team was disqualified when Justin Gatlin committed a violation. It’s unclear whether he’ll compete again in 2020, but if he does we imagine he’ll work harder than ever to win an Olympic medal in honor of Trinity.

HollywoodLifers, send your love to Tyson as he copes with the tragic loss of his daughter.