100 m world record

Gateshead, UK, June 11, 2006

Gateshead, UK

In the next salvo of the sprint wars, Jamaica's Asafa Powell equalled the world record for one hundred meters today in Gateshead at the Norwich Union British Meeting. Six records were set at the meet today, including the 3k record set by Brendan Foster at the opening of the facility in 1974. But the story today was Asafa Powell, who had a great start, ran a strong middle of the race, and let up just before the finish, his actual time being 9.7629, rounded up to 9.77, equalling the world record. Micheal Frater, also of Jamaica, the World Champion silver medalist ran 10.04 and Dwain Chambers, of the UK, in his first race back after his reinstatement, ran 10.07. The wind reading was a 1.5 meters per second, a near perfect wind reading.

"My coach will not be happy with my race," said Asafa to the IAAF press department. The Commonwealth Games gold medalist further told the media, " I will run much faster."

Justin Gatlin and his agent pulled Gatlin from the event in Gateshead, claiming that there was no agreement for Gatlin to run against Powell in Gateshead. The meet management differed in that opinion. However, Powell and Gatlin will be running the 100 meters at the London Grand Prix on July 28.

Gatlin ran 9.7767 at Doha, Quatar on May 12, equalling the world record run by Asafa Powell in 2005 in Athens, Greece. On May 28, at the Nike Prefontaine, Justin Gatlin ran 9.88 in section one of the 100 final and Powell ran 9.93 in the second section of the 100 meter final.

On June 3, in cold conditions, Justin Gatlin ran 9.86 in cold weather, decimating the world class field. Now , on June 11, in Gateshead, Asafa Powell shows that he is in fine condition for the sprint wars that should happen this summer!

Just how far can the record go down? This writer believes that Gatlin and Powell both break the record three of four times this summer.

Eliud Kipchoge of Kenya ran 7:33.54 to break the stadium record of 7:35.10 set by Brendan Foster in 1974 at the opening of the facility. Torri Edwards ran 11.06, for another stadium record. Sanya Richards ran 22.35 for a huge personal best and another stadium record. The final excitement of the day came from Christian Cantwell, 22.45meter or 73 feet 7.85 inches-the longest throw in the world in three years!