Athletics: I'm the best, says Gatlin

RALEIGH, North Carolina - Olympic and world champion Justin Gatlin believes his mental and physical toughness make him a better sprinter than Jamaican world record holder Asafa Powell.

"Mentally and physically I am the best sprinter," Gatlin told a teleconference today to promote his 100m appearance in New York's Reebok grand prix on June 3.

"I know when to show up. I know how to run technically sound," the American, 24, said.

"I would not call him a choke artist, but I feel he has a lot to learn with big competitions," Gatlin said of Powell.

"When big competitions show up, that proves who is the best."

Gatlin proved he was best at the 2004 Olympics and 2005 world championships, sweeping 100m gold in both before adding the 200m world title in Helsinki last August.

But Powell, fifth in the 2004 Olympics, staked his claim to being the best with a world-record run of 9.77 seconds last June in Athens.

His absence from the world championships through injury only stoked the rivalry's fire, especially after Powell said he would have won the race had he been competing.

"I was watching Ali the movie the other night, and it kind of reminded me of me and Asafa," Gatlin said.

"It's like a heavyweight battle ... and you can't have a heavyweight battle without two contenders, and I think me and Asafa can make the best rivalry there's ever been in track and field."

Any meeting this year may be months away as the two rivals' managers sort out their schedules.

Powell, who lost twice to Gatlin during an injury-plagued 2005 season, showed his fitness by claiming the Commonwealth Games 100m in 10.03sec last month in Melbourne.

Gatlin will run his first 100m of the year in Osaka, Japan, in May.

Work on his start and other parts of his race should produce a faster Justin Gatlin this year, the American said.

"Times are very important (this year) because there are no championships," Gatlin said.

He already has one in mind in the 100m -- 9.75sec, 0.02sec faster than Powell's world record.

"I think a lot of people have a mental block about the world record," Gatlin said.

"But watching Asafa ... if he can do it, I can do it as well, and I can do it even a little better."

- REUTERS