Veteran sprinting great Frankie Fredericks of Namibia has won a thrilling 100-meter race at the Golden League meet in Berlin, Germany. The four-time Olympic silver medallist clocked a time of 10.23 seconds Sunday to edge two Americans, John Capel and Jon Drummond. But the 35-year-old Fredericks says he is not certain whether he will run the 100-meter race as well in Paris despite his victory.
Fredericks broke the tape ahead of a field that lacked the presence of world record holder Tim Montgomery, who had returned home to the United States after two disappointing performances in Europe. Also out of the sprint was world and Olympic champion Maurice Greene, who just run in the 4-by-100 meter relay.
Meanwhile, Maria Mutola of Mozambique remains the only athlete still with a chance of winning the $1 million gold bar at the end of the series as she won the 800-meter event in 1 minute, 59.01 seconds.
The only other runner in contention, Bahamian sprinter Chandra Sturrup, placed third in the women's 100-meter race (10.88). Sturrup's hopes of sharing in the $1 million bonus disappeared as she finished behind American duo Kelli White (10.84) and Chryste Gaines (10.86).
Turkish athlete Sureya Ayhan made a big return to the Golden League meets by posting the fastest time in the world this year in the 1,500 meter race as the European champion finished 50-meters ahead of the field in 3 minutes, 59.58 seconds.