Lemaitre breaks the 10-second barrier in the 100m dash clocking 9.98 in Valence – European Athletics (EAA) – News

France's Christophe Lemaitre broke the national 100m record and set a new European leading mark this season when he clocked 9.98 during the French Championships in Valence on Friday.

The 2009 European Athletics Rising Star broke the former French record set by Ronald Pagnon of 9.99 in 2005.

The 20-year-old lowered the European Junior record in 2009 to 10.04, and had threatened to break the 10sec barrier on no less than five occasions this season.

Lemaitre started off in sedate fashion but accelerated quickly after the 30m mark and soon left behind Pognon and Martial Mbandjock.

"This was my goal to break the 10 second barrier. One has to run under 10 seconds in order to be part of the world's best. I will be recognised as the first white man to run it, but today is mainly historical for myself," Lemaitre was quoted as saying.

Martial Mbandjock finished second in 10.08, while Ronald Pognon, third in 10.34.

"Now, I have a three-numbers personal best, and I can have high ambitions for the European Athletics Championships in Barcelona," added Lemaitre.

His 9.98 is 0.01 better than Dwain Chambers' previous European leading mark set during the Briton's win at the SPAR European Team Championships in Bergen last month.

Usain Bolt currently holds the 100 metre world record in a blazing 9.58 seconds, with only 71 men having ever run sub-10 for the straight sprint.

Jim Hines of America was the first to dip into single digits with his 9.95 result at the 1968 Mexico Olympics.

 European Athletics (EAA) – News