Athletics: Gatlin's Record Run Was Wind Assisted Says Powell

Asafa Powell has queried the recent performance of Justin Gatlin in equalling his 100 metres world record, claiming that the time of 9.77sec posted by the American at a meeting in Doha in Qatar last month was "suspicious" because it was done with the help of a following wind which Powell thinks may have been over the limit allowed for records.

Under the rules of the International Association of Athletics Federations, the legal limit for a world record is two metres per second. "Other athletes [who ran in that race in Doha] say the wind must have been plus four or plus five," Powell said.

Powell's next race is to be at the Norwich Union British Grand Prix in Gateshead on Sunday where he was due to face Gatlin before the American withdrew claiming he had not agreed to face the Jamaican. They are now likely to clash for the first time this year at the London Grand Prix at Crystal Palace on July 28.