Posted: May 9, 2006

Athletics: Powell v. Gatlin In Gateshead

By Bob Ramsak
© 2006 TRACK PROFILE Report, all rights reserved

It's official. World and Olympic Champion 100 meter champion Justin Gatlin and Asafa Powell, the world record holder in the event, will meet head-to-head at next month's Norwich Union British Grand Prix in Gateshead, Britain's Press Association reported today.

In perhaps the most eagerly-anticipated showdown in the sport, the pair's race on June 11 will in all liklihood likely be their first clash of the 2006 season. Both are tentatively slated to race at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon, on May 28, but in different events. Powell has already confirmed that he will race at the Bislett Games in Oslo, Norway, on June 2, the opening leg of the six-meet IAAF Golden League. Gatlin will contest the 100 on Saturday, June 3, at the Reebok Grand Prix in New York City.

Displaying solid early season form, Gatlin won the short dash last Saturday at the Osaka, Japan Grand Prix, clocking 9.95. A few hours later, Powell responded with an identical performance at the Jamaica International in Kingston.

Gatlin, whose only 100 meter victory in 2004 came in the Olympic final, won 12 of his 14 races last season, captured the sprint double at the world championships, and currently carries a 10 race win streak in the 100. Powell emerged as the world's premiere sprinter in 2004, winning eight of his nine finals. His only loss that season came at the Olympics, where he finished a disappointing fifth. Powell lowerd the world record to 9.77 in Athens last June, but missed most of the 2005 season with a nagging groin injury.

The last meeting between the two was at last June's Prefontaine Classic. In a virtual dead heat, Gatlin was given the nod, each credited with a wind-assisted 9.84 performance. But after his world record dash, Powell was beset by injury woes. He pulled out of the Golden Gala meet in Rome in early July where he was to face Gatlin, and pulled up and didn't finish at the Norwich Union London Grand Prix in late July. His injury sidelined him from the World Championships, and ended his season.

At just 24 and 23 respectively, the nascent Gatlin-Powell rivalry is one that could define the battle for the title of ‘World’s Fastest Human’, and with it the entire sport, for the rest of the decade and perhaps beyond. Speaking before the Golden Gala in Rome last July, it's a scenario that each seems very comfortable with.

“Basically, he’ll be a rival and a great competitor for me as long as my career lasts,” Gatlin said. “I have much respect for him and for what he’s done for the sport.”

Powell was quick to share his respect as well.

“I admire Justin a lot. He knows how to compete in big races. I want to learn that. He’s always breathing down my neck.”

“I don’t think either one wants to share [dominance],” Gatlin continued, “but if it’s like that, it makes it more exciting. I think it’s a new era where more than one person can go out there and win it, which makes it more exciting. It’s always going to be a fight. And that’s what I expect.”

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