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Sports

Wednesday September 2, 2009

Americans dominate in England and Croatia

GATESHEAD (England): Sprinter Tyson Gay emerged from giant shadow cast by Usain Bolt to lead the United States’ domination of the British Grand Prix on Monday.

Gay, 27, has trailed Bolt over recent months and the Olympic and world champion’s decision not to compete in Gateshead ensured an easy win for the American in the 100m.

On a damp track and running into a headwind, he clocked 10.15.

“It’s always nice to race without Usain, but he does bring the best out of me,” Gay, who may have surgery on a groin problem, told reporters.

Croatia’s Blanka Vasic celebrates winning the high jump in her own backyard. — AP

“It wasn’t about times today, though, it was about winning a race. The wind was strong, so at about 60 metres I didn’t want to push too hard.

“My injury is still there and I’ll be seeing someone to help me out with it in a couple of weeks. Then I’ll look to next year and another good season.”

At this month’s world athletics championships in Berlin, Gay ran the third-fastest 100m time ever (9.71) but was good enough only for second place behind Bolt’s stunning world record of 9.58.

Gay decided against competing in the 200m, which left the way open for Shawn Crawford to triumph.

It was not easy for the 31-year-old, who beat fellow American Wallace Spearmon by one hundredth of a second in a time of 20.80.

American LaShawn Merritt remains unbeaten this year after a straightforward victory in the men’s 400m on Monday.

The Olympic and world champion, the fifth-fastest man ever over the distance, clocked 45.10 to finish ahead of Britain’s Martyn Rooney and American team-mate Angelo Taylor.

Compatriot Allyson Felix, world champion for the last three years at 200m, eased to a predictable success in 23.13.

n ZAGREB (Croatia): Olympic gold medallist Dawn Harper of the United States won the women’s 100m hurdles at the Zagreb Grand Prix on Monday, partially making up for her failure to medal at the world championships in Berlin a week ago.

Harper, Olympic champion in Beijing last year, finished in 12.67, beating Britain’s Delloreen Ennis London — who won bronze in Berlin — by 0.09.

Americans also dominated the men’s 100m. Darvis Patton ran 9.94 to win, followed by Mike Rodgers, who finished in 9.97. Nesta Carter of Jamaica was third.

Ryan Brathwaite won the men’s 110m hurdles, just as he did in Berlin. Brathwaite, from Barbados, won in 13.35 — 0.06 seconds faster than Olympic bronze medallist, American David Oliver.

Croatian Blanka Vlasic continued her good form after defending her high jump title in Berlin, winning with a jump of 2.08. — Agencies

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