Athletics: Gatlin the new 'king of sprints'

Justin Gatlin declared himself "king of sprints" after yesterday becoming only the second man to win the 100m and 200m titles at the world athletics championships.
Gatlin clocked 20.04s in Helsinki to lead the first 200m medals sweep in the 22-year history of the championships.

Fellow American Wallace Spearmon was second in 20.20s and defending champion John Capel edged compatriot Tyson Gay on the line for the bronze in 20.31s.
American Maurice Greene, who won both races at the 1999 world championships in Seville, is the only other man to have won the double.

"Double gold means I consider myself right now to be king of sprints," Gatlin said.

"When I came off the turn I was going to gun it. That's what I did, then I had to have enough in the tank at the end.

"It's a little bit of a bitter-sweet moment - we're making history but at the same time one guy didn't medal," the 23-year-old Olympic 100m champion added.

"Tyson will come back stronger. He's a great runner."

Abandoning his usual ploy of a late surge, Gatlin was slightly ahead coming off the bend as the Americans formed a line across the middle of the track.

Spearmon, fastest in the world this year, pulled clear of Capel and Gay in the final 50m but Gatlin knew he had the title in the bag.

- REUTERS