Gatlin denied outright record
Sports
May 19, 2006
Gatlin denied outright record

Justin Gatlin has been denied the outright world 100m record after his time was suddenly altered almost a week after his blistering run in Qatar.

Officials have revealed the World and Olympic champion clocked 9.766 seconds, not 9.760 seconds as first thought.{{more}}

According to IAAF rules, the time should have been rounded up to 9.77 secs – matching but not beating Asafa Powell’s existing world record.

Powell eclipsed Tim Montgomery’s old mark of 9.78 in Athens last year.

IAAF spokesman Nick Davies said: “The problem here was it was a mistake, but better we admit that.

“Obviously we’re disappointed for Justin but he’s talented enough to come right back and break it again.”

In a statement issued through US Track and Field, Gatlin said: “It is very disappointing to me that it has taken five days to determine the official time of a race with this significance.”