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August 21, 2004 5:38 pm

Crawford, Gatlin advance in 100 meters

By ELLIOTT DENMAN

Gannett News Service

ATHENS, Greece - The world record in the 100-meter - Tim Montgomery's 9.78 in 2002 - seems ready to fall.

Two rounds of 100-meter racing Saturday have set up a Sunday final that includes Clemson grad Shawn Crawford and ex-Tennessee star Justin Gatlin.``No more talking today, just wait till tomorrow,'' said Crawford, after a 9.89-second victory - just 5/100ths off Donovan Bailey's Olympic record - in the second of five quarter-finals.

``That final might be the best sprint ever; the track's great, the crowd's great, the atmosphere's great; it may take a world record to win it,'' said Gatlin, who took the third section in 9.96.

``There's going to be a party tomorrow, and everyone's invited,'' chimed in Maurice Greene, who ran a 9.93 in heat five.

``I am the only man who can beat me,'' declared Crawford.

``It was about the easiest 100-meter run in my life,'' said Gatlin.

``There's nothing stopping me now,'' said Greene.

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