Superstar sprinters for Gateshead

World record-holder Asafa Powell and Olympic champion Justin Gatlin will clash over 100 metres for the first time this year in next month’s Norwich Union British Grand Prix.

The world’s two fastest sprinters last year will top the bill at the opening meeting of the UK’s international schedule of events in Gateshead on June 11.

Powell last June set his world record of 9.77 seconds in Athens, while Gatlin clocked a time of 9.88secs when adding the World Championships title to his Olympic success.

The pair last met on the track at the Norwich Union London Grand Prix last July when Powell pulled up after a few strides with a groin problem, which ended his season.

Gatlin, winner then at Crystal Palace in a UK All-Comers’ time of 9.89, also defeated the Jamaican in Eugene two months earlier in a thriller in which they were both credited with the same windy time of 9.84.

The American, who won the Olympic gold medal when Powell finished fifth, currently has the edge over his Jamaican rival with six wins to three.

Their appearance in Gateshead is almost certain to see the stadium record of 10.05 bettered, although breaking Powell’s world record, given the inconsistency of the weather there, will be a formidable task.