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BEIJING, June 8 -- The world's fastest men will finally face each other on the track. Co-world record holders Justin Gatlin and Asafa Powell will race in the 100 meters at the London Grand Prix on July 28, according to U.S.A. Track & Field.
The two were scheduled to race at the British Grand Prix in Gateshead, England, on Sunday. But Gatlin's agent, Renaldo Nehemiah, pulled him out of the meet, saying there never was a contract for the Olympic champion to run against Powell.
Gatlin tied Powell's mark of 9.77 seconds in Qatar on May 12. The American initially posted a world-record mark of 9.76, but it was changed five days later because of a timing mistake. Powell set the mark in June 2005 in Athens, Greece.
Powell said before the announcement that he was looking forward to the head-to-head meeting. Last year at the London Grand Prix, Powell pulled up with a groin injury while Gatlin won the race in 9.89.
The two were actually on the same track in Eugene at the Prefontaine Classic on May 28 but they ran in separate heats. Gatlin won his race in 9.88, tying the meet and Hayward Field record. Powell won a separate 100 race in a wind-aided 9.93.
Powell doesn't want to race Gatlin more than twice to maintain excitement about their head-to-head meetings.
Powell said he had his "suspicions" about Gatlin's 9.76 in Qatar.
Even with the absence of his rival this weekend at Gateshead, Powell wants to keep the pace he has set this season. He won the 100 in 9.98 at the Bislett Games in Norway last week.
Powell's best time this year the 9.95 he ran at the Commonwealth Games. Though he hasn't been as fast as Gatlin this year, Powell has consistently won against world-class opposition.
Last week, Gatlin won the Reebok Grand Prix in New York in 9.87. He hasn't run over 10 seconds this year, and his next race is the U.S. championships starting June 21 in Indianapolis. Before the meet, Gatlin said when he finally faced Powell, it would be worth the wait.
(Source: Shenzhen Daily/Agencies)
