Powell, Gay fail to beat Gatlin in Lausanne
(Xinhua) Updated: 2015-07-10 10:38
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Tyson Gay of the US, Justin Gatlin of the US and Asafa Powell of Jamaica compete in the 100 meters men event at the IAAF Diamond League Athletissima athletics meeting at the Pontaise Stadium in Lausanne, Switzerland, July 9, 2015. [Photo/Agencies] |
"I'm happy for Tyson as well since one of my big objectives is the American record," he added.
Gay has been deprived all achievements since 2012, including an Olympic silver medal, after tested positive for doping and banned for one year.
Asked his chance of beating Gatlin in Lausanne, the former world champion told a pre-race press conference that "Justin can be beaten anytime but we must admit that he has been running great this season."
The 33-year-old, whose season best is 9.87 at last month's US trials, said he's satisfied with Thursday's run considering certain circumstance.
"I'm happy with my race," said Gay. "I have a sore hip and I've been doing my best to get better but I have no excuses."
"I've really been trying my best to get the cobweb loose. Now I have to get back to training and world hard to get better," he added.
Powell, however, refused to settle after finishing the runner-up.
"This wasn't my best race. Actually one of my slowest times for the season," said the 32-year-old Jamaican who ran the third fastest 100 meters of the year to win on 9.81 seconds at the Paris Diamond League meeting just five days ago.
"But I'm still confident. My start want's so good today but I know its something I can work on," added the former world record holder, setting his sight further to next month's worlds in Beijing.
Lausanne Athletissima is just the second Diamond League meeting of Powell after walking out of the shades of a doping suspension and having missed the whole season of 2014.
