Sport

Gatlin aims at 9.75

Justin Gatlin - file

AMERICAN OLYMPIC 100 metres champion Justin Gatlin is aiming at Asafa Powell's world record when he faces the starter at this weekend's World Championships in Helsinki, Finland.

Gatlin, who has defeated the Jamaican twice this season, was quoted on International Association of Athletics Federations' (IAAF) website as saying, "9.75 seconds is my goal".

However, he also said that winning was the first objective.

"I am out here first to get the world title," Gatlin said.

Hungry for success

The man who is highly fancied to win the 100m in Helsinki in the absence of Powell, continued: "I am very hungry for success ... my career is young and I hope I can go out and make a great show for the public".

Since his recent victories over Powell, Gatlin was quoted as saying Powell cannot run fast in races in which he, Shawn Crawford and Maurice Greene are in.

Yesterday, he tried not to comment on Powell's absence.

"You can only race who is there. I proved that last year in Athens that I was the best," he said.

"I can't pick out any names of rivals. Last year in Athens I wasn't expected to win and Shawn Crawford was also a dark horse for the 200m but look what happened.

"Championships are about the best man on the day going out and winning."