Gatlin guts Gay and Powell in Lausanne

Photo: Justin Gatlin blows away Asafa Powell and Tyson Gay in the Diamond League 100m in Lausanne yesterday (AP)

It was built up as a clash of the world’s top male sprinters, minus the inimitable Usain Bolt. The world leader Justin Gatlin was set to square off against fellow American Tyson Gay and Jamaican Asafa Powell in the 100m at the Diamond League meeting in Lausanne Switzerland on Thursday.

In the end it proved to be a show of power by the man that has been the world leader since 2014 as Gatlin dismissed Gay and Powell with consummate ease, finishing just .01 outside of his world lead and seasons best when he stopped the clock at 9.75s. Fittingly both Gay and Powell were timed in 9.92 with the Jamaican being given the edge by the photo finish.

Though having the slowest reaction time of the three, Gatlin took control of the race in the first 20m and was never in any trouble as he powered through the race to remove all doubt as to who is currently the best in the world.

“I told you,” he said with a shake of the head before putting a finger to his lips as if to say stop talking, directly into the camera that followed him around right after the win.

Clearly very confident and with the sprint double on his mind at the World Championships in Beijing in just over a month, Gatlin has laid down the marker for the rest of the world’s top sprinters, who will have a lot to do to put up a real challenge for the gold.

The absence of the defending champion Usain Bolt due to injury for the better part of the season has left track and field fans a little bit disappointed and somewhat anxious ahead of Beijing. A return to shape and a return to competition by the champion would certainly add a buzz and increase the anticipation of a clash the world is waiting on.