Stockholm, Aug 06: World 100m recordholder Tim Montgomery flopped on his return to the track after over a month's absence finishing well down the field behind compatriot Justin Gatlin here. The 28-year-old two-time world championship medallist looked to be in need of several races ahead of the world championships in Paris in three weeks as he just made the final and then was never in it as Gatlin streaked away to win in 10.15sec yesterday.

Montgomery, who finished sixth in 10.37sec, had taken time off after finishing second behind European champion Dwain chambers in Glasgow at the end of June to be with his new born child, Tim Junior, and girlfriend Marion Jones. His task looked to have been made easier when in-form Nigerian Deji Aliu was disqualified for false starting.
The women's 100m gave French star Christine Arron high hopes of taking gold in Paris as she roared home to win in 11.11sec with defending world champion, Zhanna Block, back in fourth in 11.45 - sprint great Merlene Ottey, now competing for Slovenia, was fifth.

Bureau Report