Lemaitre Defeats Gatlin in Rabat

France’s sprint specialist Christophe Lemaitre defeated Justin Gatlin, the American 2012 Olympic 100m bronze medalist, over 100 meters Saturday at the Rabat, Morocco World Challenge.

Lemaitre, the 22-year-old European champion, clocked a windy 9.98secs (2.9m/s) as Gatlin finished second in 10.02.  Kim Collins of St. Kitts and Nevis placed third in 10.10, Cayman’s Kemar Hyman  was fifth in 10.22 and while Andrew Hinds of Barbados came in fifth in 10.26.

Gatlin’s defeat came on the heels of his win over sluggish Usain Bolt last Thursday in Rome where he clocked a legal 9.94.

As usual, Lemaitre was slow out of the blocks but surged past Gatlin in the final few strides. It was his first time under 10 seconds this season. He holds the French record at 9.92, which he set two years ago.

In the women’s 100m, Jamaica’s sprint relay silver medalist Kerron Stewart posted 11.24 (1.3 m/s) to win. Lauryn Williams of the US was sixth in 11.39.