BUDAPEST, March 5 (AFP) - Two-time Olympic 100 metreschampion Gail Devers made a successful start to herquest for a unique double at the World IndoorChampionships here on Friday.
Devers easily won her first round race in the 60metres heats on the opening day in 7.15sec, and is nowtwo races away from winning that title for the thirdtime.
The 37-year-old American takes a day off Saturdaybefore returning to Budapest’s Sportarena on Sunday toattempt to complete the double by taking the 60m hurdles title.
No athlete has won the 60m and 60m hurdles double inthe 19-year history of the World Indoors.
Devers will be pushed hard in the 60m by Belgian KimGevaert, who showed she has fully recovered from aserious car accident one month ago by cruising tovictory in 7.16sec.
European 100m record holder Christine Arron of Francewill also be a contender after winning without exertingherself in 7.15sec.
Merlene Ottey also qualified for the semi-finals whenthe Jamaican-born Slovenian finished second to Devers in7.27sec.
The 42-year-old raced little last year leading tospeculation she was about to call time on a career inwhich she has won 34 major championship medals,including eight Olympic medals.
But she has set her sights on her sixth Olympics inAthens.
Britain’s Jason Gardener and US champion ShawnCrawford stayed on course for a titanic battle for thegold medal in the men’s 60m later in the day.
Gardener, the European champion and the fastestperformer in the world this year at 6.46sec, opened upwith a superb start to carry him to a first roundvictory in 6.56sec.
But Crawford blasted to a 6.52 clocking to move intothe semi-finals and underline his intent for gold.