Justin Gatlin of the U.S. celebrates after equalising the world record at the Qatar Super Grand Prix with a time of 9.77 seconds in Doha on May 12. - REUTERS
INDIANAPOLIS (REUTERS)
JOINT WORLD-RECORD holder Justin Gatlin takes aim at the fastest 100 metres ever run in the United States at the national championships starting today.
Gatlin, who equalled Asafa Powell's world record of 9.77 seconds last month in Doha, hopes to erase Canadian Donovan Bailey's U.S. all-comers' record of 9.84 seconds.
A tilt at the world record could also be possible in tomorrow's final if weather conditions are right.
Bailey set the U.S. all-comers mark in his then-world record rush to Olympic gold at the 1996 Atlanta Games.
Americans Gatlin and Maurice Greene -- as well as the disgraced Tim Montgomery -- have since run faster, but never in the U.S.
Gatlin inched closer to the mark with times of 9.88 and 9.87 seconds in races on wet tracks at Eugene, Oregon, and New York in recent weeks.
"It's a great time by a good athlete," Gatlin told Reuters. "But at the calibre I am running now, I think a lot of people would be like, 9.84, that was good.
"Critics and fans would love to see more and better," Gatlin added "I think I am the kind of person who tries to fulfil those wishes."
His main competition should come from world indoor champion Leonard Scott and training partner Shawn Crawford, the 2004 Olympic 200 metres gold medallist.
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