Gatlin wins 200m in 19.57sec
Eugene, United States (AFP) — Controversial US sprinter Justin Gatlin clocked a world-leading 19.57sec to win the 200m at the US athletics championships yesterday, lining up a double World Championships challenge in Beijing.
Gatlin came off the turn in front and powered home in a career best, surpassing the 19.68 he set on the same Hayward Field track during the Eugene Diamond League meeting in May.
“I know I had a great start, attacked coming off the turn, and ran a great 150,” he said.
With his bye into the 100m at the August World Championships, the 33-year-old American — who completed a four-year drugs ban in 2010 — is now poised to challenge sprint superstar Usain Bolt in both events at Beijing.
In a race run in a legal wind of 0.4 metres per second, Gatlin’s training partner Isiah Young was second in 19.93, with veteran Wallace Spearmon third in 20.10.
