Powell loses to Gatlin in Lausanne

LAUSANNE, Switzerland, CMC- Jamaican sprinter Asafa Powell lost to American Justin Gatlin in the 100m in Lausanne, Switzerland yesterday.

Asafa Powell
Asafa Powell

Gatlin was an easy winner, clocking 9.75 seconds for the victory, in a possible preview to the World Championships in August. Powell was adjudged second though he finished in 9.92 seconds, the same time as American Tyson Gay.

33-year old Gatlin is the only man to run 9.80 or better since September 2013, which he has done five times.

His victory comes five years after he was slapped with a four year ban for using a banned substance.

Veteran sprinter Kim Collins of St.Kitts and Nevis finished in sixth position clocking 10.08 seconds.

Meantime, Bahamas athlete Shaunae Miller established herself as a major threat to win the 400m at the World Championships.

Miller, 21, won the one lap event in Lausanne clocking a personal best 49.92, the best time in the world this year by a woman who is qualified for the World Championships.

Miller beat Olympic champion Sanya Richards-Ross (51.12) into second while Jamaica’s Novlene Williams-Mills was third in 51.15 seconds.