World champion Tyson Gay was forced out of his 200 meters title defence bacause of a groin injury, said the U.S. athletics team Monday.

Gay decided that "resting would better serve the interests of Team USA and himself", the team said in a statement at the athletics world championships as the athlete will focus on preparing for a possible appearance in the U.S. 4x100m relay

Gay clocked an American record of 9.71 seconds to take silver in Sunday's 100m final where Jamaican ace Usain Bolt stormed to a stunning world record of 9.58.

(Xinhua News Agency August 18, 2009)