Gatlin and Powell eye Athens showdown

A 100 metres showdown between world record holder Asafa Powell and Olympic and world champion Justin Gatlin is being negotiated for Athens in early July, the sprinters' agents said this week.

"Athens on the third (of July) probably sounds like the place," Gatlin manager Renaldo Nehemiah told Reuters when asked where the two rivals might meet for the first time this year.

Powell's agent, Paul Doyle, and Athens Super Grand Prix meeting athletes' liaison Georgios Constantopoulous also confirmed talks were under way for Gatlin and Powell to meet in the Greek capital on July 3.

Doyle said he also was discussing the possibility of a Powell-Gatlin meeting at Gateshead, England on June 11, but organiser Ian Stewart said that was not likely.

The Athens venue has special memories for Gatlin and Powell.

Gatlin won the Olympic 100 metres there in 2004 and Powell broke the world record in Athens last June, clocking 9.77 seconds.

It is also the site of American Maurice Greene's 1999 then-100 metres world record.

"You can't get better than that," Doyle said. "And by that stage they are both going to be in top form."

Constantopoulous said Athens organisers would be holding more talks with the sprinters' agents next week.

"Of course, I would like to have both of them," Constantopoulous said in a telephone interview from Greece. "But I have to ask (their agents) how much they want for their athletes."

The two raced twice last year, with Gatlin defeating the often-injured Powell both times.