EUGENE, OR - Justin Gatlin, the sport's "go-to guy" in the sprints, will bring his formidable talents back to the Prefontaine Classic on May 28th in the 100 Meters at Hayward Field. The 24-year- old Florida native first proved his ability to peak to perfection at the Athens Olympic Games, where he won the 100 and took bronze in the 200. He stayed atop the 100-meter world in '05 with a win at the Helsinki World Championships (9.88) and improved two places in the half-lap event to add a second gold medal.

The defending Pre Classic champion in the century, Gatlin says, "Pre has always produced fast times and great races. I'm looking forward to running fast like I did there last year (9.84w)...and for years to come."

The 100 will not be an exhibition race, however, not with Jamaica's Dwight Thomas and Michael Frater in the race. Thomas was ranked No. 4 in the world by Track & Field News magazine in 2005, and Frater took the silver in the 100 at the World Championships behind Gatlin. But Justin's biggest challenge may come from his former Tennessee teammate Leonard Scott, who won the World Indoor Championships 60 Meters last month in a world-leading 6.50.

Tickets for the 2006 Prefontaine Classic are available in person at the Casanova Center ticket office, by phone from 1-800-WEBFOOT, or online at www.goducks.com.

100-METER FIELD

Justin Gatlin
Leonard Scott
Michael Frater (Jamaica)
Dwight Thomas (Jamaica)
Shawn Crawford
Darrel Brown (Trinidad)