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Dix grabs double to set up Bolt showdowns

(Agencies)
Updated: 2011-06-27 10:57

Walter Dix (2nd R) narrowly beats Justin Gatlin (L) at the finish line of the men's 100-meter final at the US Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon on June 24, 2011. [Photo/Agencies]

EUGENE, Oregon - Olympic double bronze medallist Walter Dix will have a chance to race Usain Bolt twice in August's world championships after winning the 200 metres at the American trials on Sunday.

The victory, in a wind-assisted 19.95 seconds, completed a sprint double for Dix, who won bronze medals in the 100 and 200 metres at the 2008 Olympics where Jamaican Bolt swept to world records in both.

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"I can't really see myself losing," Dix said of the upcoming world championships in Daegu, South Korea.

"Usain Bolt, Asafa Powell, whoever is there I am going to give them a good shot," Dix said. "I am confident I can win the gold after what I did today."

Dix, who won the US 100m title on Friday, became the first to claim both national championships since Tyson Gay in 2007. The wins came with little speed training, Dix said, and he promised to run faster as the season progresses.

"To come out here and run under 10 seconds (in the 100) and under 20 in the 200 is truly a blessing," he added.

Doc Patton was a close second in 19.98 with Jeremy Dodson claiming the third spot on the US team for the world championships.

Shalonda Solomon ran down favourite Carmelita Jeter for a shock victory in the women's 200m.

Solomon finished in 22.15 seconds, the year's fastest time, to defeat US 100 metres champion Jeter by eight hundredths of a second. Jeneba Tarmoh took third in 22.28. "I know if I can run with Carmelita, I can run with anybody," said Solomon.

World 400 metres champion Sanya Richards-Ross finished seventh, ending her chances of running a 200-400 double at the world championships.