U.S. Sprinters Are Impressive at Zurich Meet

U.S. sprinters dominated the 100-meter races Friday at the Weltklasse Zurich invitational track and field meet, the last major tuneup before the World Championships begin a week from today in Paris.

John Capel and Justin Gatlin tied for first in the men’s 100, finishing in 9.97 seconds for the third-best time in the world this year and a personal best for both. Capel previously had run 9.98, but it was the first time for Gatlin to break 10 seconds.

Chryste Gaines won the women’s 100 in 10.89 while running into a slight headwind. It was her second consecutive victory over world leader Chandra Sturrup of Bahamas, who finished in 10.97. Other U.S. winners included Gail Devers in the 100 hurdles (12.50), Duane Ross in the 110 hurdles (13.22) and Sandra Glover in the 400 hurdles (54.50).

Ana Guevara of Mexico recorded her 23rd consecutive victory in the 400, with a time of 49.11.

Amy Acuff, formerly of UCLA, placed fourth in the women’s high jump but set a personal best of 6 feet 7, the best jump by a woman from the U.S. since Tisha Waller cleared the same height in 1998.

Turkey’s Sureyya Ayhan was the most impressive winner, reducing the season world best in the women’s 1,500 by almost four seconds with a time of 3:55.60.