Gatlin's world record adjusted to 9.77

Justin Gatlin's 100 metres world record of 9.76 seconds has been corrected to 9.77, equalling the previous mark, the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) said yesterday.

The IAAF was informed of an error in the reading of the result by the company responsible for the timing at last Friday's super grand prix meeting in Doha.

Based on his time recorded after winning the race, Gatlin ran 9.766 seconds, which was announced as a world record 9.76, an IAAF statement read.

According to IAAF rules, this should have been rounded up to 9.77.

Gatlin's time, pending ratification, equals the previous record set by Jamaica's Asafa Powell in Athens on June 14 last year.

World and Olympic champion Gatlin announced he had his sights set on the world record earlier this month after clocking 9.95 seconds in his first outing of the season in Osaka.

American Gatlin and Powell, who has also run 9.95 this year, are due to clash at a grand prix meeting in Gateshead, England on June 11.

The pair last met on the track in London in July 2005 when Powell pulled up with a groin problem that put paid to his season.

Gatlin beat Powell in their only other meeting last year even though both clocked a wind-assisted time of 9.84.