Berlin, Aug 18 (DPA) Holder Tyson Gay has pulled out of the 200 metres race at the world championships, United States athletics officials said Monday night.

A sore groin made it impossible for Gay to race four rounds in the 200m Tuesday, but he hoped to be back for the weekend's sprint relay races.

Gay had been nursing the problems for a while but still managed a 100m silver in a nation record of 9.71 seconds Sunday behind Jamaican Usain Bolt, who claimed a stunning world record of 9.58 seconds.

Bolt should now have an almost trouble-free run to the 200m gold in the absence of Gay, who had been the season leader with 19.58 seconds.