World champion Tyson Gay [ Images ] failed to qualify for the 100 meters final at the Beijing [ Images ] Olympics [ Images ] on Saturday.

The 26-year-old American finished fifth in the second semi-final in 10.05 seconds while his Jamaican rivals, world record holder Usain Bolt [ Images ] and Asafa Powell [ Images ], cruised through to the final as heat winners.

Jamaican Usain Bolt, the world record holder, was the fastest qualifier with a timing of 9.85.

Gay suffered a hamstring injury at the US trials last month and missed out on a place in the 200m, depriving him of a chance to repeat the sprint double he achieved at last year's world championships.

The final had long been expected to be a showdown between the three fastest men of all time, Bolt, Powell and Gay, but the two Jamaicans will now go head to head later on Saturday.