Gatlin confident of lowering record

Athletics : Olympic champion Justin Gatlin is already planning to reduce the world 100 metres record of 9

Athletics: Olympic champion Justin Gatlin is already planning to reduce the world 100 metres record of 9.76 seconds, which he set in Doha last night.

Gatlin has insisted winning major titles is more important than chasing world records.

But without major championships to worry about this year, Gatlin has had the time and motivation to smash Asafa Powell's world figure. The 24-year-old American achieved it on the desert leg of the IAAF's world athletics tour.

Now Gatlin, who took one hundredth of a second off his Jamaican rival's 11-month old mark, is adamant he can run even quicker this summer.

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"I'm trying to go faster than that, I'm trying to go 9.74 or 9.73," said the New York-born sprinter, whose schedule sees him in action there on June 3rd.

His appearance in the Big Apple before flying to the UK and racing Powell will be preceded by an appearance next Sunday at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene.

Gatlin said: "The race really wasn't one of my best but if I can stay focused and not get big-headed I can go out there and do it again."

Gatlin remains more interested in medals than records however, and added: "I'd have to say the Olympics [was best] because it gave me so much confidence. I learned I could be a champion. I think everyone saw a good competitor in Justin Gatlin in 2004 and 2005. I was more aggressive this year going after the world record.

"It actually came quicker than I thought."

Gatlin insisted for the moment he has not even considered his forthcoming clash with Powell. "It hasn't crossed my mind," said the world's fastest man. "I just focus on my race."

But Gatlin, with that confrontation a month away, believes he can lower his Doha mark.

He said: "I can't believe it came so soon but that's what my goal was. I know I was talking a lot and I wanted to do it and I was focused on it.

"But I didn't think it would come in my second race of the season. I'm really happy about that and I'm actually more motivated to run a faster time in New York and at Prefontaine."