Fraser-Pryce struggles again, Gatlin wins in Rome

ROME, (Reuters) – World and Olympic 100 metres champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce’s problems continued at the Rome Diamond League meeting yesterday when the Jamaican was again upstaged by long jump specialist Tori Bowie.

Fraser-Pryce won gold medals in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay at last year’s world championships in Moscow but her start to the outdoor season has been dogged by a persistent leg injury and she showed no spark in beating home just one of the nine-strong field at the Olympic stadium.

After winning her season-opener in Doha last month, she then pulled out of the Shanghai meeting and finished a disappointing eighth behind American Bowie over 200m in Eugene last weekend.

Bowie, 23, again showed the sprinters how it is done by taking another surprise victory in a personal best 11.05, ahead of Jamaicans Kerron Stewart (11.08) and Simone Facey (11.13).

Unlike Fraser-Pryce, American Justin Gatlin has had no such problems in hitting his stride and clocked 9.91 to win the men’s 100, ahead of Jamaica’s Nesta Carter (10.02) and Briton Adam Gemili (10.07)

Former Olympic champion Gatlin, who powered out of the blocks and quickly had the race at his mercy, has run the three quickest times in the world this year.