Kiprop, Gatlin dispel week of doping woes
Source: AFP |
July 21, 2013, Sunday
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ATHLETICS received just the tonic it needed at a thrilling Diamond League meet in Monaco on Friday after a week tainted by the positive drugs tests of two of the best-ever male sprinters.
The failed tests of American Tyson Gay and Jamaican Asafa Powell, second and fourth fastest men of all time, and Powell's compatriot, three-time Olympic medalist Sherone Simpson, again brought into question the credibility of track and field just ahead of the world championships in Moscow.
But that was dispelled as a high-quality line-up led by American sprinter Justin Gatlin and Kenyan Asbel Kiprop, and an unlikely new European record in the 1,500 meters going to Briton Mo Farah at the Stade Louis II.
Gay was expected to run in Monaco and maintain an impressive streak of early-season unbeaten form in his battle against Jamaican sprint king Usain Bolt.
In their absence, Gatlin, the 2004 Olympic champion who rebounded from a four-year doping ban to win bronze at the London Games, scorched to victory in the 100 in 9.94, pushed all the way by teammate Dentarius Locke (9.96) and Frenchman Jimmy Vicaut (9.99).
"I felt really good out there," said the 31-year-old Gatlin, who also ran the anchor leg for a US 4x100 relay team.
"To run the relay and the 100 the way I did, well I think it proves I'm ready for the world championships."
Earlier, Farah's decision to compete in the 1,500, stepping down from the 5,000 and 10,000 in both of which he is defending Olympic champion, was rewarded with a European record.
The Briton was in fifth with two laps to run after a fast pace set by two hares.
Kenyan world champion and 2008 Olympic gold medalist Kiprop then fired through solo with 400 to go and clocked an astonishing 3:27.72, the fourth fastest time ever run over the distance.
Farah kicked to cling on to Kiprop's coattails for second in a new European record of 3:28.81, smashing Steve Cram's previous best of 3:29.67 set in 1985.
Kiprop admitted he was shocked by Farah's performance: "I'm very surprised and his time was crazy."
The failed tests of American Tyson Gay and Jamaican Asafa Powell, second and fourth fastest men of all time, and Powell's compatriot, three-time Olympic medalist Sherone Simpson, again brought into question the credibility of track and field just ahead of the world championships in Moscow.
But that was dispelled as a high-quality line-up led by American sprinter Justin Gatlin and Kenyan Asbel Kiprop, and an unlikely new European record in the 1,500 meters going to Briton Mo Farah at the Stade Louis II.
Gay was expected to run in Monaco and maintain an impressive streak of early-season unbeaten form in his battle against Jamaican sprint king Usain Bolt.
In their absence, Gatlin, the 2004 Olympic champion who rebounded from a four-year doping ban to win bronze at the London Games, scorched to victory in the 100 in 9.94, pushed all the way by teammate Dentarius Locke (9.96) and Frenchman Jimmy Vicaut (9.99).
"I felt really good out there," said the 31-year-old Gatlin, who also ran the anchor leg for a US 4x100 relay team.
"To run the relay and the 100 the way I did, well I think it proves I'm ready for the world championships."
Earlier, Farah's decision to compete in the 1,500, stepping down from the 5,000 and 10,000 in both of which he is defending Olympic champion, was rewarded with a European record.
The Briton was in fifth with two laps to run after a fast pace set by two hares.
Kenyan world champion and 2008 Olympic gold medalist Kiprop then fired through solo with 400 to go and clocked an astonishing 3:27.72, the fourth fastest time ever run over the distance.
Farah kicked to cling on to Kiprop's coattails for second in a new European record of 3:28.81, smashing Steve Cram's previous best of 3:29.67 set in 1985.
Kiprop admitted he was shocked by Farah's performance: "I'm very surprised and his time was crazy."
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