BARCELONA, May 22: Justin Gatlin may only share the world 100 metres record but he is still out on his own as the world's best sprinter, former track king Michael Johnson believes. The American world and Olympic champion thought he had added the world record to his trophy cabinet earlier this month when he was timed at 9.76secs at a meeting in Doha.

But that was subsequently revised up to 9.77secs after a timing error was spotted meaning that he had only equalled the mark set by rival Asafa Powell last June in Athens.

Gatlin said he was unhappy at having to share the record and the two men are squaring up for the summer season with both saying they will prove they are the best.

Johnson though said, records or no records, Gatlin was the better sprinter until such time as the Jamaican Powell won what he called a major title.

“You've got to give it to Gatlin at the moment,” said Johnson ahead of Monday's annual Laureus Sports awards here, at which he is one of the judges.

“Gatlin has won at the highest level, while Powell has not yet proven that he is capable of that.

“But it will be very interesting to see this summer when they go head-to-head who comes out on top.”

The two sprinters are due to lock horns for the first time as joint world record holders at the Gateshead Grand Prix in north-eastern England on June 11 and their rivalry is set to become one of the focal points of the athletics season.

But Johnson, who still holds the world record over 200 metres, advised them to resist the lure of big appearance money payments and limit the times they race against each other.

“Two or three times a season would be best,” he said. “Once at the beginning and once at the end, so it really is something special.”—AFP