Jun 24, 2006, 17:52 GMT
Indianapolis - Justin Gatlin reaffirmed his dominance in the 100 metres on Friday, winning the US title in 9.93 seconds despite a strong headwind.
Gatlin, the Olympic and World champion, led from start to finish in the final, but a 1.2 metres-per-second headwind did not allow him to attack the world record of 9.77 seconds he shares with Jamaican Asafa Powell.
In addition, Gatlin, and the others, had to run three races Friday at Michael Carroll Stadium after bad weather the previous day forced a delay of the meet. Tyson Gay was second in the final in 10.07 and Shawn Crawford was third in 10.26 seconds.
'It is nice to win but I am disappointed that I couldn't really attack the world record,' said Gatlin, who had hoped for perfect conditions on the superfast Indianapolis track.
Olympic champion Marion Jones won the women's 100 metres in 11,10 seconds, her first title over the distance since 2002, her fifth over 100m and the 14th overall for the sprinter and long-jumper.
The three-time 2000 Olympic champion Jones beat the last two world champions over the distance, Lauryn Williams (2005) and Torri Edwards (2005), who came second and third, respectively, with both clocking 11.17 seconds.
Jones is in her comeback season after competing rarely in 2004 and 2005. She was repeatedly linked with a doping affair involving the wonderdrug THG and the Californian Balco lab which broke in late 2003, but has always protested her innocence and has never failed a drug test.
Jones, 30, said she has seen all the highs and lows in the sport, but insisted that 'now I am surely on my way back' to form.
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