Gay comes up short in record bid

LONDON, England -- American sprint sensation Tyson Gay fell victim to unfavorable conditions again as he was frustrated in his bid to set a new world record over 100 meters at the London Grand Prix on Friday.

Gay had to contend with a headwind of almost a meter at Crystal Palace as he ran 10.02 seconds to win clearly from European champion Francis Obikwelu of Portugal (10.13) and British hope Marlon Devonish (10.26).

Gay, who is set to battle for gold with world record holder Asafa Powell of Jamaica at the world championships in Osaka, clocked 10.13 seconds in appalling conditions in Sheffield last month.

A warm night in London augured well for a crack at Powell's mark of 9.77 but the wind and a niggling knee injury put paid to any hopes.

"I'm undefeated, he's undefeated, one of us has to lose," Gay told reporters.

"That was my last race (before Osaka) I'm 100 percent and I'm ready."

It was a disappointing night for Briton Jason Gardener, who managed only 10.41 and failed to make the final in his last outdoor event on home soil.

He later led off for the British team in the 4 x 100 meter relay but a dropped baton put paid to his hopes of going ouit on a winning note.

The 31-year-old, a sprint relay gold medalist in Athens and world indoor 60m champion the same year, said he was unlikely to go to Osaka as injuries had kept him below his best all season.

The most impressive sprint performances of the night came over 200 meters with Olympic champion Veronica Campbell of Jamaica finishing well clear of a class field in 22.56 seconds, while in the men's version compatriot Usain Bolt ran a fast 20.06 seconds to hold off Wallace Spearmon of the U.S.

Carolina Kluft continued her preparations for the defense of her world heptathlon title with a sluggish show in the women's 200 meters where she finished last in 24.03.

The Swede, however, pronounced herself satisfied. "It wasn't my best race but my preparation is going fine and hopefully my shape will get better," she said.

World and Olympic champion Jeremy Wariner completed his first race since May as he held off fellow American LaShawn Merritt in a rapid 44.05 seconds, with Sanya Richards winning the women's one-lap event in 49.80 seconds. E-mail to a friend