Powell record brings curtain down on Letzigrund stadium

A world-record equalling performance by Jamaican 100 metres runner Asafa Powell brought a fitting end to Zurich's Letzigrund stadium ahead of the ground's planned demolition this week.

The 78-year-old stadium is due to be rebuilt for the 2008 European soccer championship but on Friday it was Powell who was performing the demolition work.

The 23-year-old destroyed his rivals to equal the record of 9.77 seconds he shares with American Justin Gatlin, who is facing a life ban from the sport after testing positive for testosterone in April.

Powell finished 0.07 seconds ahead of second-placed American Tyson Gay as the first four broke 10 seconds.

Newly-crowned European champion Francis Obikwelu, of Portugal, finished last in 10.26 after appearing to struggle from the start.

"I'm very happy," Powell told reporters as he left the track. "Can I run faster? I think so - we'll just have to wait and see."

Powell's performance maintained his hopes of a share of the one million dollar Golden League jackpot, having won the opening four sprints of the six-event series.

Americans Sanya Richards and Jeremy Wariner and Ethiopia's Tirunesh Dibaba also remained unbeaten in their respective events.

Dibaba used her trademark strong finish to win the women's 5,000 metres in a time of 14 minutes, 45.73 seconds, over two seconds clear of Kenya's Edith Masai.

Richards also finished powerfully to take the 400 metres in 50.18 ahead of Bulgaria's Vanya Stambolova.

Wariner held off a strong challenge from fellow American Lashawn Merritt to win in 44.20.

Any athlete who wins in five of the six competitions will be eligible for a share of $500,000.

Those who emerge victorious from all six meetings will share an additional $500,000, although all eligible athletes must also compete in the World Athletics Final in Stuttgart on September 9-10.

Panama's Irving Saladino and Ethiopia's Kenenisa Bekele stayed in the chase for half the jackpot after making it three wins out of four in the long jump and 5,000 metres respectively.

However, Croatian high jumper Blanka Vlasic, Swedish 100 metres hurdler Susanna Kallur and Norwegian javelin thrower Andreas Thorkildsen fell out of contention.