By Gene Cherry
Eugene, Oregon, July 3 (Reuters) - Olympic bronze medallist Walter Dix edged out Tyson Gay in the former world champion's hotly-anticipated return to the 200 metres at the Prefontaine Classic Diamond League meeting on Saturday.
In the 110 metres hurdles, American David Oliver recorded the fourth fastest 110 metres hurdles of all time with a 12.90 second run.
Gay, who has been battling a nagging hamstring problem for seven weeks, ran his first 200 of the year in 19.76 seconds to finish just shy of Dix, who took control coming off the bend and stayed in front to win in 19.72.
“It wasn't bad, but I was a little fatigued toward the end,” Gay said. “I tried to stay relaxed and bring it home, but it wasn't enough.”
Dix, who won the 100 metres and placed second at the US nationals last weekend, said his race experience had helped, “but I'm a little beat up, too.”
“I was a little sloppy out of the blocks, but I was able to hold on,” he added. “Tyson gave me great competition.”
Oliver, the Olympic bronze medallist, equalled Dominique Arnold's national record with his second consecutive lifetime best. He ran 12.93 to win the US championships last Sunday.
Only world record holder Dayron Robles (12.87) of Cuba and China's Liu Xiang have run faster.
“I didn't get a great start but I brought it home,” Oliver said.
The American left countryman Ryan Wilson (13.16) well behind in second spot.
Jamaican Veronica Campbell-Brown, the Olympic 200 champion, surprised a talented 100 field with a personal best and season-leading 10.78 seconds to leave her thinking she might double at next year's world championships.
Olympic 100 gold medallist Shelly-Ann Fraser trailed in 10.82, just ahead of American Carmelita Jeter (10.83).
Three other season-leading marks were set.
American world champion Christian Cantwell used a last-effort throw of 22.41 metres to win the shot put, and world indoor 800 metres champion Mariya Savinova of Russia clocked 1:57.56 to beat Olympic 1,500 gold medallist Nancy Langat of Kenya at the shorter distance.
Sudan's Abubaker Kaki added a fifth season-leading mark when he took the infrequently run 1,000 metres in 2:13.62.
Kenyan Olympic 1,500 champion Asbel Kiprop just missed another when he won the mile in 3:49.75.
Olympic long jump champion Irving Saladino of Panama pulled a mild surprise as he used a wind-assisted leap of 8.46 metres to beat US world gold medallist Dwight Phillips (8.41).
Brazilan world indoor gold medallist Fabiana Murer also came out on top, winning the women's pole vault over Polish world champion Anna Rogowska. Both cleared 4.58 metres. U.S. world leader Jenn Shur failed to clear a height. - Reuters