THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
DOHA, Qatar — Justin Gatlin nipped Jamaica’s Asafa Powell at the line to win the 100 metres in a time of 9.87 seconds at the season-opening Diamond League meet in Doha on Friday.
Powell got off to the faster start but Gatlin pulled even and then managed to get his head in front as they crossed the line.
Gatlin tied Powell’s world record in Doha six years ago only to see the result erased when he was caught doping a few weeks later. Gatlin had tested positive for excessive levels of testosterone, which led to a four-year ban.
Gatlin and Powell are both gearing up for the London Olympics. Olympic champion Usain Bolt skipped the meet, as did Tyson Gay of the United States who is recovering from injury.
"This is fastest I ever opened up my career," said Gatlin as he dedicated the win to his son Jace, who turned two on Friday.
"I just showed I have a lot of grit and a lot of competition in these old legs," he said. "I want to come back and show the world I can run to the line with the best of them."
Powell, who has lost to Gatlin seven times in 10 meetings, said he wouldn’t let it happen the next time.
"I cannot complain about my time — 9.88 is a good time," he said. "I am still feeling the jet lag so I cannot say I was 100 per cent ready … I will surely go for gold at the Olympics."
American Allyson Felix, who is considering running the 200 and 400 metres at the London Games, showed she is starting the season in shape.
She won the 100 with a meet record of 10.92, edging her Jamaican rival and reigning world 200 champion Veronica Campbell-Brown by .02 seconds. Olympic champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce was third, a further .06 back.
"I know my speed was coming on and I was just focused on putting it together technically so it was pretty cool to come in here and win," said Felix, who has won more races than any athlete in Doha.
Campbell-Brown, who had beaten Felix in all five of their previous 100 races, said she "could improve" and would "keep working until the Olympics."
