Alonso Edward wins the 200m at the IAAF Continental Cup, Marrakech 2014 (© Getty Images)
Alonso Edward and Rasheed Dwyer took maximum points for Americas in the men’s 200m, both dipping below 20 seconds as they crossed the line virtually together in the closest ever finish at an IAAF World or Continental Cup.
It is only the second time two men have run sub-20 at this competition, but the fourth time in the past five editions that the 20-second barrier has been breached.
Both men clocked 19.98, a personal best for Dwyer, but Panama’s Edward was given the verdict with Femi Ogunode claiming third for Asia-Pacific in 20.17.
Christophe Lemaitre unleashed his trademark late charge for the line but couldn’t catch the Qatari sprinter, finishing fourth in 20.28.
Botswana’s Isaac Makwala had been tipped to win good points for the host continent but the African 400m record-holder, who’s run 19.96 this year, could only finish fifth in 20.49, a disappointing result on home soil especially with legendary Namibian and 1998 World Cup winner Frank Fredericks watching from the stands.
With Makwala on his inside, Edward had to get out fast and he did, leaving his African rival trailing and eating up ground on Lemaitre on his outside.
Dwyer was also away well in lane seven and the two ran stride-for-stride down the home straight, the Commonwealth champion briefly looking like he would edge ahead.
But Edward has seven good wins to his name this year, and wasn’t about to let this one go.
The Panamanian dipped just ahead as Ogunode came through on the inside and Lemaitre drifted past the ailing Makwala.
Matthew Brown for the IAAF
