EUGENE, Ore. (AP) — Moments after crossing the finish line, Justin Gatlin turned to his left and pointed at the clock to make sure everyone noticed what he just did.
Hard to miss that time. Somewhere, a certain Jamaican sprinter is no doubt hearing about it, too.
Gatlin breezed to the 200-meter title at the U.S. championships in a meet-record 19.57 seconds Sunday. He dominated a race in which he had the lead coming off the turn. It was all over after that, given how he’s been running lately and that his legs were feeling particularly fresh.
“I wanted to go out and make a statement and that’s what I did today,” Gatlin said. “That’s probably one of the best races I’ve had.”
Training partner Isiah Young was second, 0.36 seconds behind, and Wallace Spearmon third.
In the women’s 200, Oregon standout Jenna Prandini won in 22.20. Candyce McGrone was second and Jeneba Tarmoh third.
Gatlin shattered his previous best of 19.68, which he set last July in Monaco and then matched last month here at Hayward Field. Michael Johnson has the American record (19.32) and Usain Bolt the world record (19.19). Tyson Gay, the 100 winner who skipped the 200, set the previous meet record of 19.62 in 2007.
The 33-year-old Gatlin ran so fast in the opening round that his competitors were jokingly telling him to slow it down. He was simply eager to begin since he skipped the 100 because he had an automatic bye into the world championships courtesy of his Diamond League title.
He’s now set up for a showdown in both events with Bolt in Beijing this summer.
First, though, some rest. Running that time left him drained.
“My body has never been there before,” said Gatlin, the controversial sprinter with a doping past. “I was bent over (after the race). It hurt.
“But I’m feeling really good now.”
COMMENTS
Please let us know if you're having issues with commenting.