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Saturday,
June 10, 2006 Powell, Gatlin set to battle on July 28
The much-anticipated clash between the world's two fastest men, Jamaica's Asafa Powell and American Justin Gatlin, is set for next month in London. Following the breakdown in their first clash, which was scheduled for Sunday, June 11 in Gateshead, England, organisers of the Norwich Union London Grand Prix confirmed on Tuesday that the pair will face-off at the event on July 28. Renaldo Nehemiah, Gatlin's manager pulled his athlete from the meet, saying his client's agreement didn't include Powell in the race. However, this time around, organisers are confident the two will face-off for the first time in 2006 in London. "Gatlin is contracted for this race and his manager, Renaldo Nehemiah, and Paul Doyle (Powell's manager) have both said they have a desire for the race to take place," Andrew Wallace, a spokesman for Fast Track said. The two last lined up against each other at last year's London Grand Prix, but Powell pulled up after a few strides. After capturing the Commonwealth Games 100m title ( 10.03) in March, Powell has since recorded times of 9.95 at the Jamaica International Invitational, (9.93) at the Prefontaine Classic, (9.96, 9.98) in Olso, while Gatlin has five sub-10 seconds clockings from as many starts this season. Powell, who is presently in London, preparing for Sunday's IAAF British Grand Prix in Gateshead, said he is ready to turn on the heat. "I have still been holding on a little from the injury, but give me two more races and I'll be all right," Powell said. "I'm also practicing something new my coach has devised," he added. "Shortly, I expect to be regularly running 9.80's, as I'll have much more speed," said the joint holder of the 9.77 world record run. "London is a very good track and I want to achieve something special there," he concluded. By Yadvendrasinhji for JAAA
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