MADISON, AL (WAFF) -
A Madison woman will cheer for her great-grandson Tyson Gay as he takes to the field for the U.S. this weekend.
Gay will compete in the 100 meter race and the 4x100 meter relay as a sprinter at the Olympic Games in London.
His great-grandmother, Anna Lee Gay, recently moved to Madison from her hometown in Kentucky. She and her friends gathered at the Madison Senior Center Friday afternoon to share excitement over Tyson Gay competing.
"One thing I noticed about Tyson if nobody else did, when he's ready to run, he looks up like he says, 'Lord, I want you to help me,'" Gay said.
87-years-old, Gay last saw her great-grandson about two years ago. The U.S. Olympic team website said Tyson Gay is from Lexington, Kentucky.
"I haven't been around him too much because we're so far apart, but as far as I know, he's been running a long time. It's in his blood," she said.
Gay said new friends in Madison often approach her when they discover she's related to an Olympic athlete.
"I had to come right out and congratulate her. She gave me a picture of him!" said Joyce Tichenor.
Gay said most of her friends are as thrilled as she is about her great-grandson.
"That makes you feel so good. So I am proud of him and thank the lord for friends like this here. That's the way I feel," she said.
Copyright 2012 WAFF. All rights reserved.
Olympic athlete Tyson Gay.
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2013 WorldNow and WAFF, a Raycom Media Station. 