Gatlin wins 100 by narrowest of margins

ATHENS, Greece, Aug. 22 (UPI) -- American Justin Gatlin won the Olympic 100-meter dash by the smallest margin possible Sunday night in one of the highlight moments of the Athens Games.

Gatlin bested the world's swiftest men by .01 of a second.

Francis Obikwelu of Portugal was second, followed by Americans Maurice Greene and Shawn Crawford. Gatlin was timed in 9.85 and the first four finishers were separated by .04 of a second.

Gatlin's gold medal time was .02 of a second faster than Greene's winning effort in Sydney.

Other track champions Sunday were Swedes Stefan Holm in the high jump and Christian Olsson in the triple jump, Adrian Annus of Hungary in the hammer throw and Japan's Mizuki Noguchi in the women's marathon.

American Deena Kastor rallied for the marathon bronze, the first USA medal in the event since Joan Benoit won the inaugural race 20 years ago.

The United States put two runners in the final of the women's 400-meter hurdles and three more in the women's open 400.

But Gail Devers pulled up in her heat of the 100 hurdles and failed to advance.