20Sept03-By Raf Casert
MOSCOW, Sep 20 AP - Justin Gatlin of the United Stateswon $US500,000 ($A752,200) in the 100 metres at theMoscow Challenge today, already celebrating one of therichest prizes in the history of the sport as he crossedthe line ahead of Britain’s Dwain Chambers.
Gatlin won the race in 10.05 seconds. Runner-upChambers finished in 10.18 for $US150,000 ($A225,665).The other racers shared the remainder of the massive$US1 million ($A1.5 million) budget.
I don't know how I will spend it,'' the 21-year-oldGatlin said. I’ll put it in the bank, collect interest- do something smart.’’
World record-holder Tim Montgomery took third place in10.19.
The guys were just too quick,'' he said. And world champion Kim Collins finished only sixth. We never had a chance,’’ Collins said.
It was the second major victory for Gatlin this year.He already took the 60 metres world indoor title.
Times were slow, mainly because temperatures dipped tojust 7 degrees C on a frigid September night in Moscow.
The huge cash prize also was a consolation for failingto make the US team for the world championships forGatlin.
Few races have had a bigger purse than today’s men’s100. In 1997, Canada’s Donovan Bailey won $US1 million ($A1.5million) in a 150-metre showdown with America’s Michael Johnson.
And Haile Gebrselassie earned as much last year bysetting a world best at 10,000 metres on a road coursein Doha, Qatar.
Chryste Gaines dominated the women’s 100, easilybeating Christine Arron of France and world championKelli White.
Gaines, running in long tights because of the cold,finished in 10.98 seconds and took home $US75,000 ($A112,832). TheAmerican beat Arron by a whopping 0.2 seconds. White,who could still lose her two world sprint golds becauseof a doping scandal, crossed in a mediocre 11.21.
Gaines, who also won the 100 at the World Athleticsfinal in Monaco last week, was fastest out of the blocksand continued to extend her lead while oppositionfaltered.
When you are hot, you are hot,'' she said. If youcan beat the world champion that is a compliment.’’
World champion Hicham El Guerrouj fought off one ofhis toughest challenges of the season in the 1500,barely pushing his chest in front of Paul Korir to winin 3:36.44, just .04 seconds ahead of the Kenyan.
Olympic and world champion Maria Mutola kept herunbeaten run in the 800 metres this season going, easilywinning in a leisurely time of 1:58.82. Like allathletes, she was affected by the sudden drop intemperature and the blustery winds. Mina Ait Hammou ofMorocco finished second.
Mutola took $US1 million ($A1.5 million) earlier thismonth by winning the Golden League jackpot and added$US75,000 ($A112,832) here.
World champion Christian Olsson won the triple jumpwith a 17.34-metre effort, ahead of Walter Davis of the UnitedStates, who leapt 16.91.