American Olympic bronze medalist and World silver medalist Justin Gatlin remained on his unbeaten course, when he won the 100m dash Tuesday in a world-leading 9.86secs (-0.4 m/s) in Ostrava, Czech Republic.
Gatlin was entered into the line-up after Olympic and World champion Usain Bolt withdrew from the meet, explaining that he was behind in his training schedule as a result of a foot injury early in the year from which he has now recovered. The 31-yr-old Gatlin shaved 1/100th of a second off his previous world lead of 9.87 that he registered at the Beijing World Challenge meet in May. His time Tuesday makes him the owner of the four fastest times in the world this season.
It was my plan to come … being ranked number one and being able to race against Bolt,” Gatlin told reporters in Ostrava before the meet. He added that he was looking for “a good 9.7secs, or maybe even a little faster,” noting that the competition looked good, referring to Mike Rodgers, Kim Collins and South Africa’s Simon Magakwe who were there to contest the 100m.
After winning, Gatlin said he I felt good to run another world leading time. “I was looking for a better time but I’m very happy with it,” he said.
Nonetheless, he believed that the race would have been a great rematch for Bolt and him. “Hopefully I’ll see him down the road this season — also [Yohan] Blake and all the other fast runners,” said the American who defeated a less-than fully fit Bolt last year.
“I hope his foot heals up and hopefully I’ll see him this year or maybe next year. I want to race against the best.”
Gatlin said he didn’t plan to compete at the U.S. championships this next week but planned to return to Europe. He is scheduled to clash with compatriot Tyson Gay on July 3 in Lausanne, Switzerland. It will be Gay’s first race since he was cleared to run again following his drug ban for testing positive.
Felix Makes Progress
Meanwhile, Gatlin Countrywoman Allyson Felix copped victory in the 200m in 22.75 by .04secs. Progressing along on the comeback trail recently since she tore her hamstring at the Moscow 2013 Games last summer, Felix ran 22.44 on May 31 and 22.73 at the Bislett Games in Oslo, Norway last Wednesday (11th).
Currently enjoying the status as the 200m world leader a long way from Felix’s times is USA’s Tori Bowie, who posted 22.18 at the May 31 Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon. Other results