Pistorius battles in the wet

2007-07-15 22:38

Sheffield - Tyson Gay's hopes of setting a 100m world record at the British Grand Prix here on Sunday were frustrated by the weather.

Persistent rain in the northern English city, combined with low temperatures, had pretty much put paid to hopes of a fast-time before the competitors took to their blocks.

United States sprinter Gay won in a time of 10.13, well outside Asafa Powell's world record of 9.77secs.

The fastest man in the world this year was made to work hard for his win in the first half of the race before sprinting clear over the final 50m. Britain's Marlon Devonish, better known as a 200m runner, was second in a time of 10.23

Earlier, Australia's Jana Rawlinson continued her successful comeback after giving birth by winning the 400 metres hurdles.

The former Jana Pittman, married to retired British hurdler Chris Rawlinson, won in a time of 54.60 seconds.

Britain's Natasha Danvers-Smith, runner up to Rawlinson at last year's Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, was second in 55.31 with Sandra Glover of the United States third in 55.54.

It was Rawlinson's second victory in three days after her win at Rome's Golden League meeting on Friday, having given birth seven months ago.

Rawlinson, the 2003 world champion, plans to run in next month's World Championships in Osaka.

Waited until the home straight

There was something of an upset result in the men's 1500m where Britain's Andy Baddely won in a personal best time of three minutes, 34.74 seconds.

The 25-year-old, third in last month's 'Dream Mile' in Oslo, waited until the home straight before going clear of 2004 Olympic bronze and silver medallists Rui Silva and Bernard Lagat.

In a 200m run while rain was falling on the Don Valley track, American Wallace Spearmon won in 20.08 - a remarkable time given the conditions.

Spearmon, the 2005 world silver medallist, just edged out Jamaica's Usain Bolt by one hundredth of a second with anothe US athlete, Rodney Martin, third in 20.39.

Although the rain did eventually stop the wet conditions put a question mark against the participation of South African amputee runner Oscar Pistorius in a men's 400m also featuring Olympic champion Jeremy Wariner.

Pistorious, second in a 400m 'B' race at in Rome on Friday, had both legs amputated below the knee when less than a year old and runs on carbon-fibre blades attached to his legs below the knee.

Pistorius decided to run and the race started off dramatically when the Olympic champion Jeremy Wariner stumbled and pulled up. Pistorius battled in the hazardous conditions and came in last in a time of 47.65. However, he was later disqualified for running outside his lane

The 20-year-old has said his aim is to run at the World Championships. To first do that he would need to run the qualifying time of 45.95.

Even if Pistorius does that the IAAF, athletics' world governing body, could prevent him from taking part.

They have previously ruled that the blades are an unfair advantage but have said they will wait before making a final ruling.

- SAPA