Dix spoils Gay's comeback party

Former world champ edged to second; Oliver singes track

In the 110 metres hurdles, American David Oliver recorded the fourth fastest 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.

Dix, who won the 100 metres and placed second at the US nationals last weekend, said his race experience had helped. 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.

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.

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 1500 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 1000 metres in 2:13.62. Kenyan Olympic 1500 champion Asbel Kiprop just missed another when he won the mile in 3:49.75.

Results:

Men: 110M hurdles: David Oliver (US) 12.90 seconds, 1; Ryan Wilson (US) 13.16, 2. Ronnie Ash (US) 13.19, 3. Shot put: Christian Cantwell (US) 22.41 metres, 1; Dylan Armstrong (Can) 21.33, 2; Adam Nelson (US) 21.16, 3.

Discus throw: Piotr Malachowski (Pol) 67.66, 1; Zoltan Koevago (Hun) 67.55, 2; Jason Young (US) 66.95, 3.

Women: 800M: Mariya Savinova (Rus) 1:57.56 seconds, 1; Nancy Jebet Langat (Ken) 1:57.75, 2; Janeth Jepkosgei (Ken) 1:57.84, 3.

400M hurdles: Lashinda Demus (US) 53.03, 1; Kaliese Spencer (Jam) 53.78, 2; Josanne Lucas (Trinidad and Tobago)  55.08, 3. 3000M steeplechase: Milcah Chemos Cheywa (Ken) 9:26.70, 1; Marta Dominguez (Spa) 9:29.61, 2; Sofia Assefa (Eth) 9:30.05, 3.

Triple jump: Nadezhda Alekhina (Rus) 14.62 metres, 1; Olga Rypakova (Kaz) 14.45, 2; Erica McLain (US) 14.33, 3.

Pole vault: Fabiana Murer (Bra) 4.58, 1; Anna Rogowska (Pol) 4.58, 2; Yuliya Golubchikova (Rus) 4.48, 3.