Highlighted by a 1-4 finish in the men's shot put, 1-2 in finish in the
men's 1,500m and wins in seven events - including an impressive
performance by Justin Gatlin in the 100 meters and victories by Allyson
Felix and Sanya Richards over key rivals - U.S. athletes took London by
storm Friday at the Norwich Union British Grand Prix.The 2005 U.S. outdoor champion, Christian Cantwell continued his
winning ways in the shot with his third-best throw this season of 21.60
meters/70 feet, 10.50 inches, to win the men's shot put. 2004 Olympian
Reese Hoffa was the runner-up (21.11m/69-3.25), with three-time world
outdoor champion and 2005 indoor Visa Champion John Godina third
(20.80m/68-3). Two-time Olympic silver medalist Adam Nelson was
fourth (20.62m/67-8).
Americans also dominated the men's 1,500 meters with Bernard Lagat
barely winning the race over countryman Alan Webb. Lagat crossed the
line first in 3:33.12, with Webb right on his heels in 3:33.16. Also in the
race, 2005 USA Outdoor Championships runner-up Chris Lukezic (8th-
3:35.22) and third-place finisher Rob Myers (6th-3:34.89) easily
surpassed the 2005 World Outdoor Championships "A" qualifying
standard of 3:36.20. Webb, Myers and Lukezic will compete for Team
USA at the 2005 World Outdoor Championships next month in Helsinki,
Finland.
In sprint action, 2004 Olympic gold medalist Justin Gatlin blistered the
track with his 9.89 winning performance in the men's 100 meters,
posting the second-fastest wind-legal time of his career. (His personal
best of 9.84 came in winning the 2004 Olympic gold medal.) 2005 USA
Outdoor third-place finisher Leonard Scott was the runner-up in 9.94.
The much anticipated match-up between Gatlin and world record holder
Asafa Powell of Jamaica came to an end when Powell was unable to
finish the race.
Elsewhere, 2004 Olympic silver medalist and reigning U.S. champion
Allyson Felix won the women's 200 meters convincingly over reigning
Olympic gold medalist Veronica Campbell of Jamaica. Felix finished in
22.16 seconds, with Campbell second in 22.29, and two-time Olympian
LaTasha Colander third in 22.30.
In the men's 200m, 2005 USA Outdoor Championships fourth-place
finisher Wallace Spearmon won in a world-leading, personal-best 19.89
seconds. Spearmon now owns three of the top four times in the world
this year. Jamaica's Usain Bolt was the runner-up, with 2005 USA
Outdoor second-placer Tyson Gay finishing third. Bolt and Gay were
each timed in 19.99.
In the women's 400 meters, 2005 USA Outdoor champion and Visa
Championship Series winner Sanya Richards scored her second
consecutive win over reigning world champion Ana Guevara of Mexico.
Richards finished in 50.35 seconds, with Guevara second in 50.68. In
the women's long jump, Rose Richmond won the event with a wind-
aided best of 6.62 meters/21-8.75, with 2005 USA outdoor champion
Grace Upshaw third (6.56m/21-6.25).
Another U.S. winner in London was 2005 USA outdoor runner-up
Bershawn Jackson, who won the men's 400 meter hurdles in 47.98
seconds, with two-time Olympic Games fourth-place finisher James
Carter finishing third in 48.79.
Americans finishing second in London included 2004 Olympic gold
medalist Jeremy Wariner in the men's 400 meters (44.86), 2004
Olympian Khadevis Robinson in the men's 800 meters (1:45.72) and
2004 Olympic Games fourth-place finisher Jamie Nieto in the men's high
jump (2.27m/7-5.25).
History was made in the women's pole vault in London as 2004 Olympic
gold medalist Yelena Isinabyeva of Russia became the first woman ever
to surpass the 5-meter barrier in winning the event with a world-record
clearance of 5 meters/16 feet, 4.75 inches.