Powell and Gay cruise through on fast Osaka track

OSAKA, Japan (Reuters) - Jamaica's world record holder Asafa Powell and American Tyson Gay cruised through their 100 meters heats at the world championships on Saturday.
Powell burst quickly from the blocks before slowing down dramatically after 60 meters to finish second in his heat in 10.34 seconds on the opening day of competition in Osaka.

Gay clocked 10.19 behind Japan's Nobuharu Asahara and stuck to his assessment that the world record of 9.77 could fall in Sunday's final.

"I tried to run 10.3 but the track wouldn't allow me to do it," Gay told reporters. "I'm really looking forward to this evening and tomorrow."

Gay ran this season's fastest time of 9.84 at the U.S. championships and predicted fireworks when he should meet Powell for the first time this year.

"It's the fastest track I've ever been on," Gay said. "I just couldn't really run slow -- it was kind of hard!"

American team mate J-Mee Samuels endorsed Gay's view.
"It's a perfect track and perfect conditions," said Samuels after squeezing through in his heat.

"Anything's possible on this track."

more...