YOKOHAMA, Japan, 24 September 2004 — Olympic 100 meters champion Justin Gatlin justified his status as the world’s best sprinter with a comprehensive victory in the Seiko Super track and field meeting yesterday.
The American clocked 9.97 seconds to finish well ahead of compatriot Leonard Scott (10.14) at the International Stadium.
Olympic bronze medalist Maurice Greene could only manage fifth behind Japan’s Nobuharu Asahara and retiring Namibian Frank Fredericks. “I was probably the slowest starter in the whole race but it’s the last race of the season and I knew I had to go out there and do it on the track,” said Gatlin.
Greene, the 2000 Olympic champion, blamed jet lag and a false start for his poor run but said he was confident of regaining his No. 1 status next year.
Gatlin also praised the contribution of 36-year-old Fredericks, the twice former Olympic silver medalist over 100m.
German long jumper Heike Drechsler and high jumper Inha Babakova of Ukraine also bade farewell to athletics at the meeting. Drechsler, the 39-year-old twice former Olympic long jump champion, finish fifth in the long jump.
Former world champion Babakova, 37, was second to Russia’s Olympic champion Yelena Slesarenko in her event.
For most of the 49,810 fans the highlight was welcoming Japan’s hammer thrower Koji Murofushi home as Olympic gold medalist.
The Japanese was awarded the gold medal from Athens following the disqualification of Hungary’s Adrian Annus for drug-test violations.
Murofushi did not disappoint, unleashing a series of throws over 80m, with a winning effort of 83.15. After the last event of the day, Murofushi was given a presentation ceremony for his Olympic gold medal, including the Olympic wreath, raising the flag and playing Japan’s national anthem.
China’s Olympic sprint hurdles champion Liu Xiang won his duel with American Allen Johnson, who failed to qualify for the Athens final after falling.
Liu sprinted home in 13.13 seconds, ahead of Maurice Wignall (13.33) of Jamaica and Johnson (13.41).
