Posted: June 5, 2005

Athletics: Gatlin Over Powell In Eugene

By Bob Ramsak, Track Profile

© 2005 Track Profile all rights reserved TrackProfile.com

Despite returning to Eugene's Hayward Field as the reigning Olympic 100 meter champion, Justin Gatlin had a few ghosts lurking in his closet from his appearance at the Prefontaine Classic just one year ago. Displaying his growing maturity, Gatlin relegated the ghosts of last year's last place showing to a mere footnote of his still-young career as he outleaned world leader Asafa Powell for his second, but clearly most important win of his post-Olympic season.

"We were going neck and neck and I just pushed it in the end," said the 23-year-old who won in a photo-finish over the Jamaican. Both he and Powell, last season's top ranked sprinter, were credited with a fast 9.84, pushed by a hefty 3.4 meter per second wind.

There's was among the most eagerly anticipated showdowns at this year's Prefontaine Classic, which, propelled by the strong support of Nike, is traditionally the finest annual international competition in the United States. Powell arrived in Eugene as the world's fastest this year after a 9.84 performance at the Jamaica International in Kingston early last month, the fastest short dash in the world since Tim Montgomery’s 9.78 world record in 2002. Last year, Powell arrived in Athens' Olympic Stadium as a strong candidate for Olympic gold after a string of five consecutive wins, only to finish fifth in 9.94 in perhaps the finest-ever 100 meter race, and well behind Gatlin's personal best 9.85.

For Gatlin, who didn't win a 100 meter race last year until the Olympic final, the importance of beating Powell on his home turf was not lost.

"I came and won and put on a great show. I went out there and did what I had to do and everyone recognizes my accomplishments."

Even before his early season outings of 10.15 in Osaka, Japan and 10.14 in Doha, Qatar last month, Gatlin acknowledged repeatedly that he can take nothing for granted in the sprint battles he characterized as "dog fights."

"My last two races have been 10.15, so I went back and became a student of the sport. I studied, I watched a lot of tapes and I trained real hard. I'm going out there and trying to do the best I can."

Last year, Gatlin said, "My only goal was to win the Olympics. I wanted to win when it counted, and I did." He left Athens with a complete collection of medals –-gold in the 100, silver in the 400 meter relay and bronze in the 200-- and is eager to repeat, if not better, that performance at August's World Championships in Helsinki. "I'm not a complete athlete unless I can go out there and compete in two races."

Behind Gatlin and Powell, the race was clearly for third place. Leonard Scott continued to show that he'll be a strong force for a U.S. team birth for the world championships with his 9.94 clocking, 4/100s ahead of last year's "Pre" winner Shawn Crawford, the Olympic 200 meter champion. Reigning world champion Kim Collins, who won here in 2003, was fifth in 10.02.

Embattled world record holder Tim Montgomery, who was a distant seventh in 10.10, admitted after the race that he had other things on his mind. If found guilty of drug allegations after his hearing on Monday before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), Montgomery could face a lifetime ban.

"As much as I tried to go out there with a clear mind, it just wasn't there," he told Britain's Press Association. "I just can't fool myself. My main focus is on Monday."

"If your life was to depend on tomorrow," he continued, "do you think you could be racing with a clear mind today? I can't sleep, I cannot eat. It's like you lost your love."

The women's short dash featured an impressive cast as well, but the outcome was anything but close. With her 11.16 clocking, Lauryn Williams, the Olympic silver medallist, easily out-distanced compatriots and fellow-Olympians Latasha Colander (11.29) and Muna Lee (11.32). Olympic champion Yuliya Nesterenko of Belarus, in her first race since her Olympic win, was never a factor and finished last in 11.47.

"I was nervous today," said the 21-year-old Williams, who has performances of 11.08 and a personal best 22.27 to her credit this year. "My main goal today wasn't to get revenge, it was to run a good race and win. I did that and I'm happy."

Elsewhere in the sprints...

In the men's 400, Jamaican Michael Blackwood scored an upset win over young American revelation LaShawn Merritt. Blackwood, the 2002 Commonwealth, Grand Prix Final and World Cup winner, clocked 45.48 to Merritt's 45.57. In the women's full-lap, Olympic champion Tonique Williams-Darling had a fierce battle on her hands, despite the injury-induced withdrawal of Mexican heroine and Olympic silver medallist Ana Guevara. Williams-Darling, who shared half of last year's million dollar Golden League Jackpot, won in 49.95 to barely edge 20-year-old American Sanya Richards. Displaying impressive early season consistency, Richards, who now trains with world record holder Michael Johnson's former coach, Clyde Hart, has already registered 49.96 and 50.00 wins this spring.

"She’s one of the most motivated athletes I’ve ever seen," Bev Kearney, who guided Richards at the University of Texas, said last week.

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