Gatlin heading for England

World and Olympic 100 metres champion Justin Gatlin has confirmed he will race three times in England this summer.

The 24-year-old American will compete at all three Norwich Union major international events, beginning in Gateshead on June 11 and taking in meetings in London and Birmingham during July and August.

Gatlin added the world 100m and 200m gold medals to his Olympic crown last summer, and is aiming to break Asafa Powell’s world record of 9.77 seconds over the shorter distance this year.

“Gateshead will be my first race in Europe this season, and I’m really pleased to be starting out in the north-east as I’ve not raced there before,” said Gatlin.

“I love running in front of a British crowd so I’m really looking forward to visiting that part of the UK.”

No athlete has ever broken 10 seconds for the 100m in Gateshead, but Gatlin believes it is a possibility, despite the typically unhelpful climate and strong winds coming off the River Tyne.

The man from Brooklyn, New York, said: “With no World Championships this year, running fast times is going to be even more important, so I think it would be a great time to try for the 100m world record.

“I’m the world champion, so of course I want that world record.”

Gatlin holds the UK all-comers’ record, with the 9.89s he recorded last summer at the London Grand Prix.