World record sprint set for Britain
World record sprint set for Britain
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Age: 29
Position: Midfield
Country: Germany
Caps: 63
Goals: 30
Club: Chelsea
Previous clubs: Chemnitzer, Kaiserslautern, Bayer Leverkusen, Bayern Munich
In his own words: It's all or nothing, but that's what we've been expecting all along. |  |
Tuesday, 16, May 2006 11:03
The first head-to-head between the new and old 100m world record holders Justin Gatlin and Asafa Powell will take place in Gateshead in June.
The American Gatlin shaved 0.01 seconds off Powell's record time of 9.77secs for 100m and since that moment the two men have not raced each other.
The hype surrounding the race has been increasing and Gatlin's agent Renaldo Nehemiah has suggested that he wants to keep the two men away from racing each other very often to retain the excitement and mysticism of the race.
The agent told the American newspaper USA Today that: "We're trying to do our part as far as keeping interest and buzz in our sport.
"Everybody's clamouring for the first meeting. I would say they'll meet this year maybe two times. Maybe once – no more than three times."
Despite the exclusivity and therefore lucrative nature of the race, Gateshead organisers have confirmed that the head-to-head will happen as planned at the British Grand Prix on June 11.
It is believed that the contracts offered to the two men to take part in the race are in excess of £100,000. Gatlin is also due to appear in London and Birmingham this summer.