Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer
( L - R ) GATLIN and POWELL
THE 100m world record, registered by American Justin Gatlin at the Qatar IAAF World Super Tour Meeting in Doha last Friday, may have jeopardised next month's impending clash with Jamaica's Asafa Powell at the Norwich Union British Grand Prix Meeting in Gateshead, England, on June 11.
Gatlin ran 9.76 seconds last Friday to beat the previous world record of 9.77 set by Powell in Athens in June last year, increasing interest in the much-talked-about Gateshead 100m race that they have been linked to.
In an interview with The Gleaner late yesterday evening, Powell's agent, Paul Doyle, who is back in the United States after watching Gatlin's record breaking-run live in Qatar, said that Gatlin's performance has cast doubt on the likelihood of a clash next month.
While not wanting to speak for the new world record holder's camp, Doyle said that his man, Powell, will compete in Gateshead but he was not sure about Gatlin.
"Asafa is running in Gatestead, but I am not sure about Gatlin. I can't speak for Gatlin," Doyle said.
His comments come against the background of an interview by Gatlin's manager with USA Today.
In the interview, Gatlin and his agent, ex-hurdles great Renaldo Nehemiah, indicated that the scheduled June 11 match-up against Powell in Gateshead, England, might not happen.
According to the USA Today report, Nehemiah said Gatlin's commitment to race at Gateshead next month never included Powell participating in the event.
The story went on to say that after breaking the world record, Nehemiah received several emails from meet directors about a Gatlin-Powell showdown.
"Everybody's clamouring for the first meeting," Nehemiah said. "I would say they'll meet this year may be two times. May be once. No more than three," added Nehemiah, while not mentioning the Gateshead clash.
However, he did say: "We're trying to do our part as far as keeping interest and buzz in our sport as to when these guys will meet, ideally culminating in the World Championships next year when it really matters. We may entertain some Las Vegas type of special circumstances race."
UPCOMING MEETS
Regarding upcoming meets for Gatlin, Nehemiah only listed the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene (May 28); Reebok Grand Prix in New York City (June 3) and the United States National Championships in Indianapolis (June 21-25) where he will run the 100m and 200m, as the only confirmed meets where his athlete will run.
Like Nehemiah, Doyle said, "We did not have anything in our contract to say that Justin will be there."
Doyle admitted he heard talks of the unlikely clash earlier.
"I heard rumours of the same (Gateshead clash) thing, but I can't say what was in Justin's contract," Doyle told The Gleaner yesterday.
Gatlin, who said on local radio last Friday that the condition in Gateshead is not conducive to fast times, believes a clash between himself and Powell will cost big bucks.
"A well-deserved race with me and Asafa is in order with a well-deserved price," USA Today quoted Gatlin as saying. "Track and field is a great sport, but it's also a business. You've got to be a businessman as well as a professional athlete."
