Weather may slow Gatlin, Powell in Oregon

The weather may be the biggest obstacle to fast times when co-world record holders Justin Gatlin and Asafa Powell compete in highly publicised but separate 100 metres races at the Prefontaine Classic tomorrow.

Temperatures in the mid-60s F (18 C) and scattered showers are forecast, much cooler than the weather Gatlin and Powell typically train in during May.

Organisers set up the separate races to showcase the world's two fastest men without interfering with a showdown British promoters say will take place in England on June 11.

"My goal is to run faster than I did here last year or close to it, but I've never run that fast in cold conditions," Gatlin told Reuters.

The races will be the sprinters' first 100 metres since Gatlin equalled Powell's 2005 world record of 9.77 earlier this month.

Gatlin edged Powell in last year's meeting as both were clocked in a wind-assisted 9.84 seconds.

This time the overall winner will be based on combined times in the two sections with Powell and Gatlin not on the track at the same time.

Gatlin appeared to take the world record from Powell when he clocked an announced 9.76 seconds at Doha on May 12. But the IAAF reported on May 17 that because of a timing error Gatlin had only equalled Powell's record.