Gay wins with ease but wind ends record hopes

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London, Aug 3: British weather again put paid to the world record hopes of Tyson Gay but the American sprinter nevertheless produced an impressive display to win the 100 metres in 10.02 seconds at the London Grand Prix today.

Gay, who clocked 10.13 in almost winter conditions in Sheffield last month, had to contend with a headwind of almost a metre on what had earlier looked to be ideal conditions for an assault on Jamaican Asafa Powell's mark of 9.77.

The American, who nudged a hundredth under that with the wind at his back two months ago, was out of the blocks first, picked up smoothly and finished well clear of Portugal's Francis Obikwelu (10.18) and Briton Marlon Devonish (10.26) to remain on course for a showdown with Powell in the Osaka world championships later this month.

It was a disappointing night for Briton Jason Gardener, who managed only 10.41 and failed to make the final in his last outdoor event on home soil.

The 31-year-old, a sprint relay gold medallist in Athens and world indoor 60m champion the same year, said he was unlikely to go to Osaka as injuries had kept him below his best all season.

Carolina Kluft stuttered in her preparations for the defence of her world heptathlon title with a sluggish show in the 200 metres where she finished last in 24.03.

The Swede, however, pronounced herself satisfied. ''It wasn't my best race but my preparation is going fine and hopefully my shape will get better,'' she said.

The race was won impressively by Olympic champion Veronica Campbell in 22.56 while in the men's version Usain Bolt made it a Jamaican double when he held off a strong finish from Wallace Spearmon to win in 20.06.

In later action, world and Olympic champion Jeremy Wariner faced a stiff challenge in the 400 metres from fellow American LaShawn Merritt while the women's one-lap event featured arguably the highest-quality field of the night, led by Sanya Richards.

Reuters>