Gay (left) and Powell will battle it out for Olympic gold this month

American sprinter Tyson Gay will have another chance to face Jamaican rival Asafa Powell when they meet in August's British Grand Prix in Gateshead.

Gay was disappointed to pull out of the London Grand Prix with hamstring trouble but is excited about racing Powell on Tyneside.

"It was just too much of a risk for me to run and I apologise to the British fans for not running there," said Gay.

"I promise I will make it up to them in Gateshead," he added.

The duo are hotly tipped to meet in the 100m final at the Beijing Olympic Games a fortnight earlier.

UK Athletics chief executive Niels de Vos admitted it was a major coup to get the sprint pair together in the same race.

"We are delighted to be able to bring two of the world's best sprinters to Gateshead and give British athletics fans the clash they have been longing to see," said De Vos.

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"For such high-profile athletes to commit to returning to the UK so soon after Beijing clearly demonstrates that they love competing here.

"I know Powell will be looking for a repeat performance of his last trip to Gateshead when he equalled the then-world record."

Jamaican Powell is the Commonwealth champion and former world record holder � he equalled his then-world record of 9.77 seconds the last time he ran in Gateshead two years ago.

Gateshead will host the Aviva British Grand Prix on Sunday, 31 August.