American Felix at the double in Doha
DOHA (AFP) — American Allyson Felix recorded an impressive double in the IAAF's Qatar Super Grand Prix here on Friday, winning both the 100m and 400m events.
Felix, gunning for an Olympic gold at the Beijing Games in August this year, was never threatened in either event, winning both with meet records and the world's best time.
Felix won the sprint in a time of 10.93 seconds and the 400m in 49.83.
"I was keen to repeat my performances of last year but with better times and I was able to do that," Felix said.
"I feel good having the world's best time in both events."
The performances set her up nicely for the August event, but Felix said that she still had to make the national team.
"I am certainly looking forward to taking part in Beijing but I will have to get past the US trials in June," said the 22-year-old.
The men's 100m ended in a surprise victory for 24-year-old Norwegian Jaysuma Saidy Ndure, as African champion Olusoji Fasuba and Asian champion Samuel Francis Adelebari faded away in the final 50 metres.
The latter duo was expected to dominate proceedings in the absence of Asafa Powell who pulled out of the event due to injury.
The Gambia-born Ndure made up lost ground in the final 25 metres, overcoming a bad start to finish in a time of 10.01sec.
The men's 200m lost a little sheen as 400m Olympic and world champion Jeremy Wariner of the United States pulled out after an injury during warm-up.
His compatriot Lashawn Meritt won the event in 20.08sec.
Croat Blanka Vlasic dominated the women's high jump with a final effort of 2.03 metres, the world's best this year.
Vlasic, however, faltered in her attempt to create a meet record, twice failing to clear 2.05m.
"I am not disappointed as my goal was to clear the 2-metre mark and defend my title. I achieved both and that is satisfactory. I was not looking at creating a world record here," said the 24-year-old.
