Gatlin pulls out of Athens grand prix

ATHENS, July 2 (Reuters) Olympic and world 100 metres champion Justin Gatlin has pulled out of tomorrow's Athens grand prix because of a leg injury.

Organisers told reporters on Sunday the American sprinter had sustained a ''mild strain''.

They said Jamaican Commonwealth champion Asafa Powell, who shares the world record of 9.77 seconds with Gatlin, had turned down an invitation to replace Gatlin because of a hamstring strain.

Powell set his world mark at last year's Athens meeting.

REUTERS PM BST1723