Gatlin smashes world record

2006-05-12 20:36

Doha - America's Justin Gatlin set a new 100m world record - with a time of 9.76 seconds - at the Qatar Super Grand Prix on Friday.

The Olympic champion bettered the old mark of 9.77 seconds, set in Athens last year by Jamaica's Asafa Powell.

The 24-year-old American, who clocked 9.85 seconds in the semi-final, was overjoyed by his record.

"I am very happy to have broken the world record," said Gatlin, who is also world champion.

"I knew it was coming. This is my third time in Doha and it has proved to be third time lucky."

The record sets up what could be a fascinating season of sprinting.

Gatlin announced his intentions in his first race of the campaign, when he clocked 9.95 seconds in Osaka, Japan.

He and Powell are due to meet at the Gateshead Grand Prix in England on June 11. Their last meeting was in London last July, when Gatlin cruised to victory as Powell pulled up with a groin injury.

The injury forced Powell to miss the world championships in Helsinki.

- AFP