Eugene (United States) (AFP) – Justin Gatlin blasted to victory in the 100 metres at the Prefontaine Classic on Saturday, leading from start to finish with the fastest time of the year.
Gatlin, the 2004 Olympic champion who was banned for doping between 2006 and 2010, clocked a wind-assisted 9.88 seconds at Eugene’s Hayward Field.
The world number one showed he is rounding into form ahead of the Rio Olympics, taking the tape ahead of Jamaican Asafa Powell and American Tyson Gay.
Former world record holder Powell finished second in a time of 9.94 seconds while defending Prefontaine champion Gay crossed in 9.98 seconds. The race was run with a strong tail-wind of 2.6 m/s.
The 33-year-old Gatlin got off to a slow start in 2016 but is now picking up steam with the Summer Olympics just two months away.
The American is coming off his fastest season ever in 2015 but suffered his only loss in the 100 metres on the biggest stage as he failed to win gold at the Beijing Worlds in August.
Gatlin is now a six time winner at the Prefontaine, including five 100 metre wins.
Gatlin’s US Olympic teammate Kendra Harrison delivered the biggest surprise of the meet with the fastest women’s 100 metre hurdles in 28 years.
Harrison equalled the second fastest time by storming to victory in 12.24 seconds.
Bulgaria’s Yordanka Donkova holds the two fastest times in history, including the world record of 12.21 which she set in August 1988. She ran a 12.24 the same year.
Harrison has been unstoppable this year and is the Olympic favourite in the event that is being dominated by the Americans as the US took the top five spots in Saturday’s race.
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