Justin Gatlin loses his 100 metres record because, apparently, there was a statisticial error.

CNNSI reports:

Gatlin was timed at 9.76secs at an IAAF GP meeting in Doha on May 12, a mark one-hundredths of a second faster than the existing best set by Asafa Powell in 2005.

But the IAAF said that the actual timing for the American was 9.766seconds which should have been rounded up to 9.77.

Asafa Powell, whose record Gatlin broke, had said back then that the record was only on loan.

I am sure even he didn’t anticipate getting it back so early!

Maybe a record shouldn’t be conferred before it has been statistically verified if the difference is close enough to cause an impact. At least a ridiculous situation like right now for Gatlin can be avoided thus.

The 100 metre world record has been broken by Justin Gatlin. Gatlin overcame the mark of Asafa Powell (9.77) which stood for 11 months. See here for the progression of the 100 metre men’s world record.

I was reading an article a few years ago which wondered how much the world record can be broken. For example, we know that no human can ever run down 100 metres in say 7 seconds. Where is the end to the 100 metre world record, if at all?

The amazing thing is that the world record keeps getting broken. Sport teaches us to think positive, aim big and keep growing. World records are milestones which speak about these charecterstics of sport itself.

Justin Gatlin is very young at 24. He has already accomplished a lot, as Gatlin says:

I am the best of the best because I am the Olympic champion, the world champion and now the world record holder..

Asafa Powell, whose record Gatlin broke, is just 23. These two athletes promise a lot. Few others may join in the party in the near future.

Excitement and drama will always chase the 100 metres. This, after all, is the world stage.

Update: Powell says that record is only on loan. Interesting!