Gatlin wins 100m at Rome Diamond League

US Justin Gatlin celebrates after winning the Men's 100m event at the Rome's Diamond League competition at the Olympic Stadium in Rome on June 2, 2016. [Photo/Agencies]

ROME - Justin Gatlin edged fellow American Ameer Webb to win the men's 100m at Rome Diamond League meeting on Thursday.

Gatlin, 34, stormed to the finish in 9.93 seconds while Ameer followed at heel with one-hundredth of a second behind. Frenchman Jimmy Vicaut also dipped under the 10sec mark with 9.99.

Jamaica's Elaine Thompson posted a season best of 10.87 to take the women's race as American English Gardner came second in 10.92.

Ethiopian Almaz Ayana produced the performance of the night as she ran the second fastest 5000m of all time, clocking 14 minutes 12.59 seconds, narrowly missing out on a new world record.

Ayana's fellow countrywoman Tirunesh Dibaba has kept her world mark of 14:11.15 for eight years.

Two Olympic champions New Zealand's Valerie Adams and Colombia's Caterine Ibarguen, recorded victories in the women's shot put and triple jump respectively.