Defar defied a bout of food poisoning to set a world record in the women’s two-mile run, and Gay powered to victory in the men’s 100m with a wind-assisted time of 9.79sec.

In other races, world and Olympic gold medallist Jeremy Wariner outclassed the opposition in the men’s 400m, and fellow-American Allyson Felix set the fastest time this year to win the women’s 200m.

Defar, the Olympic 5000m champion, romped to victory with a world mark of 9min 10.47sec, despite having vomited shortly before the race.

“I think it must have been something I ate,” said the 23-year-old, from Addis Ababa, after setting her fourth world record.

“I had a warm-up of 15 minutes and then I vomited two or three times just two minutes before the start. I was scared and thought that maybe I couldn’t beat the record.

“But once I started the race, I was okay. With two laps to go, I knew I was going to break the record.”

Defar, who broke the previous mark of 9min 11.97sec set by American Regina Jacobs in 1999, finished ahead of Canada’s Megan Metcalf (9min 37.04sec) and American Kara Goucher (9min 41.32sec).

Gay’s performance, the fastest this year, would have equalled the American record, set by former Olympic champion Maurice Greene in 2005, had it not been for a stiff breeze.

“That tail wind of 2.5 was more than I wanted but I think I can do the same time with a 1.8 at my back,” said Gay, who finished ahead of compatriot Derrick Atkins and Jamaica’s Steve Mullings.

“When I was in the blocks, I felt a light breeze but I’m still satisfied with that outcome.

“I know I’m in pretty good shape, although I still have a few pounds to lose and a bit of work to do on my start.”

A crowd of 6208 had hoped to see a head-to-head between Gay and Greene, but the three-time 100m world champion failed to make the final after finishing last in his heat.

“I don’t like to see Maurice hurt, maybe he’s still struggling with his leg,” said Gay.

“I expect to see him to do some great things at the USAs,” he added, referring to next month’s national championships in Indianapolis.

Wariner, who set the year’s fastest time with 44.02sec in Osaka, Japan earlier this month, was unhappy with his start.

“I didn’t get out too good on the first turn, which affected me the most,” he said after powering to victory in 44.60sec.

“The coach said I was 22.12 for the first 200 but the wind down the back straight didn’t work out well at all. But my final kick was good.

“I’ve got to put the best parts of my races together at the same time,” added the 23-year-old, who finished ahead of Chris Brown of the Bahamas (45.10sec) and Jamaica’s Sanjay Ayre (45.25sec).

Felix dominated the women’s 200m, cruising home in 22.18sec with compatriot LaShauntea Moore second (22.46sec).

“I tried to stay on the inside of the curb and it felt better for me,” said the 2005 world champion.

“The start has been the weak point in all of my races but we’ve been working hard on being more powerful and using my arms a little more.” (Reuters)

Tsigu Derese Mekonnen en route to victory in Herrera 1500m (Juanjo Úbeda)

Ethiopians win in unheard-of 1500 and 3000 steeplechase

SEVILLE, Spain (IAAF) – Ethiopian athletes may not be dominant at events such as the men’s 1500m or the 3000m steeplechase but last night’s (19) ‘Gran Premio de Andalucía’ – EAA Permit – held in Herrera (100km east of Seville) on a warm but windy day, witnessed what well could be the rising to the crème of two previously unknown Ethiopians in the guise of Tsigu Derese Mekonnen (1500m) and Roba Gari (3000m steeplechase). They produced two of the most outstanding performances of a two and a half-hour programme hampered by strong gusts of wind.

The Gran Premio Andalucía is one of a select group of Area meetings at which points can be acquired by athletes to qualify for the IAAF / VTB Bank World Athletics Final.