Although the two men had yet to compete against each other this season, both entered Friday's Diamond League race sharing the year's best time of 9.82 seconds. As such, many had awaited yesterday's head-to-head battle with eager anticipation.
Bolt got off to a mediocre start, holding only a slim advantage over Powell at the 40 meter mark. However, as Bolt began to unfurl his patented long stride, he then put some distance between himself and the rest of the field, Powell included.
Bolt would go on to cross the finish line in 9.84 seconds, well ahead of Powell's second-place time of 9.91 seconds. Yohan Blake, also from Jamaica, would place third with a personal best time of 9.95 seconds.
Bolt's time was well off the world-record mark that he set in 2009, but nevertheless was a quality sub-10 time. Bolt would acknowledge after the race that his "strength" was below its usual level.
Powell now has come up short in both races this year against his top two rivals, as he also lost last week to American Tyson Gay.
David Oliver Sets New American Record in the Men's 110m Hurdles
Nobody in track and field is having a better year than David Oliver, and he resumed his winning ways again in Paris by producing another overwhelming victory in the Men's 110m hurdles.
Oliver got off to a strong start and never looked back after taking the lead at the second hurdle. With each step, Oliver's lead grew, as he quickly crossed the tape in an American-record time of 12.89 seconds.
Even more impressive, Oliver clipped several hurdles along the way, including the final hurdle. As such, it appears that he is capable of going faster because he has yet to run his perfect race.
Oliver has been consistently excellent this season. Two weeks ago at the Prefontaine Classic he clocked a 12.90, and his latest effort further illustrates that he is race-sharp and on top of his game.
Oliver finished merely .02 seconds away from tying Dayron Robles' world record. Robles pulled out of Friday's Paris event due to a hamstring injury, but somewhere down the line these two will inevitably clash.
Ryan Wilson placed a distant second, finishing in 13.12 seconds.
Allyson Felix Dominates Women's 200m
Allyson Felix continued her stellar 2010 season by winning the Women's 200m in resounding fashion.
Felix ran a great curve and entered the final 100 meters with a 2-meter lead over her competitors. None of the other ladies in the field managed to respond to Felix's early surge, and she finished virtually unchallenged down the stretch, winning comfortably by 4 meters in a time of 22.14 seconds.
Shalonda Solomon placed second in 22.55 seconds.
Jeremy Wariner Wins Men's 400m
Jeremy Wariner continued his quest to reclaim the quarter-mile throne, producing his fourth Diamond League win this season with a solid 400m performance of 44.49 seconds.
Coming off the turn at 300 meters, Wariner enjoyed a sizable 4-meter lead and managed to hold onto his advantage down the stretch. Jermaine Gonzales finished second in a time of 44.63 seconds.
By Mike Elliott
Staff Editor for TheDailySportsHerald.com
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