Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer
( L - R ) POWELL and GATLIN
THE DEBATE as to who is the world's best male sprinter could be settled at next month's Norwich Union British Grand Prix meeting in Gateshead.
Jamaica world 100-metre record holder Asafa Powell and America World and Olympic champion Justin Gatlin will meet in the most anticipated track clash of 2006 to date.
Both sprinters are coming off world-leading times of 9.95 seconds established at different meets on Saturday.
At the IAAF Grand Prix meet in Osaka, Japan, Gatlin opened his season with the impressive run, which was matched by Powell at the Jamaica International Invitational in St. Andrew, later in the night, and it has been announced that they will meet head-to-head at the June 11 meeting in the U.K.
Powell's MVP camp yesterday confirmed the meeting, but efforts to get in touch with Gatlin's camp were unsuccessful.
However, according to PA International, Fast Track managing director, Jon Ridgeon, confirmed the clash from which both athletes are almost certain of a six-figure fee.
"It has not come cheap," admitted Ridgeon, while saying "but this is the race every person in the world this year has been waiting to see".
After running his first sub-10 seconds of the season, which matched Gatlin's season best, Powell said he wasn't sending any message but hinted the uncertainty surrounding who is the fastest man will soon be settled.
"When we both meet, we'll see what happens. I am always looking forward to meeting him (Gatlin). I'm not worried about anything," said Powell, who has lost to Gatlin on the last three occasions they met.
Over the past two seasons, Gatlin, who won the Olympic Games 100m and returned to cop the World Championships double, has been claiming he is the fastest man, even though Powell holds the world record of 9.77.
Powell said he was not one to brag and was quick to remind everyone on Saturday night after recovering from a poor start to win the Jamaica Invitational in 9.95.
"This is how I make my statement, on the track and not with my mouth," Powell said.
"Right now I am just looking forward to running really fast ... that's my aim right now," he said.
The last time both faced the starter, at last July's London Grand Prix, Powell pulled up injured with a groin problem only five metres in the race. That injury forced him to sit out the rest of the outdoor season.
In an interview with The Gleaner four months ago, Gatlin said he was the man.
"Right now I'm the man on top of the hill, he (Powell) has to come and get me," said Gatlin who believes his Olympic and World Championships titles have more prestige than Powell's world record.
"It's another year, another day, he (Powell) just has to come out and do the same thing over, or do even better this time," he said.
"Just go out there and break the record again," Gatlin said.
Powell responded shortly after by saying "it's my record and I can break it any time".
Gatlin also said: "This year I think we will both be on the same page and we want to see something happen.
"You will see a great battle between us. It's a gentlemen race, I have much respect for him. I hope he has as much respect for me," added Gatlin on his visit to Jamaica in January.
