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Asafa smashes world record!
 

Powell poses at the clock showing his world record time. (Photos: AP)

ATHENS, Greece (AFP) - Jamaica's Asafa Powell broke the 100 metres world record in Athens, Greece on June 14, running 9.77 seconds.

The 22 year-old's mark eclipses the old time of 9.78 seconds set by Tim Montgomery in Paris in September 2002.

Powell, who finished fith in the Olympics on the same same track last year last year, blew away from the blocks and was never threatened, as he finished metres ahead of his closest rival.

Ironically, the same meeting produced a world record in the same event in June 16, 1999, when Maurice Greene set the mark with a time of 9.79. Powell - who broke the record in front of a sparse crowd at the cavernous Olympic stadium - had set his sights on the world mark after a world season best of 9.84 seconds last month.

"I am very happy that in my second appearance here in Greece I achieved this performance. It is amazing that after Greene, I also achieved a world record in this stadium," he said.He said he knew he could break the record.
"If you ask what I can do more this year, you will just have to wait until the end of this season to see."
"My father's faith inspires me a lot."

"I always wondered what it would be like to break a world record. I achieved my goal."

Second in the race was Ghana's Aziz Zakari in 9.99 with Jamaica's Michael Frater placing third with a 10.03 clocking, both personal bests.

Jamaica's Sherone Simpson edged out Zhanna Block of Ukraine in the women's 100 metres on the line to win the race in 11:16
seconds.
 
The grand prix was the first major athletics competition at the Athens Olympic Stadium since the Olympic Games.