Career-best times for Whyte, Weir

LONDON (AP):

Jamaica's athletes failed to match the first-day heroics of 400 metres hurdler Kaliese Spencer and 100 metres sprinter Yohan Blake on yesterday's second and final day of the Samsung Diamond League meet at Crystal Palace in London.

Rosemarie Whyte in the women's 400 metres and Warren Weir in the men's 200 metres, however, both clocked personal-best times to grab second-place finishes in their events.

Whyte, a former national champion, went under 50 seconds for the first time clocking 49.84 seconds, finishing behind rejuvenated world champion, American Sanya Richards-Ross. The Jamaica-born Richards-Ross clocked a season-best 49.66 to win the event. Jamaicans Novlene Williams-Mills (50.46) and Shericka Williams (50.64) were third and fourth, respectively.

Richards-Ross welcomed her return to form after missing last season because of abdominal injuries.

"Let me tell you, it's been a long year for me," said Richards-Ross, who thrust both arms in the air after crossing the finish line. "Training has been going so well for so long, so I knew it was a matter of time."

Way off the pace

Olympic champion Christine Ohuruogu of Britain was way off the pace in last in the event.

"I haven't done enough work to challenge these girls," said Ohuruogu, who had injury problems last year.

Richards-Ross expects the 2007 world champion to challenge at Worlds.

"Christine has shown she is excellent at championship meets and, like me, she has great experience. So I think she'll definitely be one of my top competitors," Richards-Ross said.

Olympic bronze medallist, American Walter Dix, staked his claim as the main threat to Usain Bolt in the 200 metres at the World Championships, winning in 20.16. Dix finished ahead of Weir, who clocked a personal best of 20.43. Jamaica's Marvin Anderson (20.60) and Mario Forsythe (20.46) were fourth and fifth, respectively.

American Carmelita Jeter dominated her 100 metres rivals again, including Jamaicans, World and Olympic champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Schillonie Calvert and Aleen Bailey.

Fraser-Pryce, third in 11.10, started like a bullet as usual but was overtaken at halfway by Jeter (10.93) and Trinidad and Tobago's Kelly-Ann Baptiste (10.97). Calvert took fifth in 11.23 while Bailey placed seventh in 11.36.

Selected results

• MEN

200m:

1. Walter Dix (USA) 20.16

2. Warren Weir (JAM) 20.43 (PB)

3. Alonso Edward (PAN) 20.55

4. Marvin Anderson (JAM) 20.60

5. Mario Forsythe (JAM) 20.76.

400m hurdles:

1. Javier Culson (PUR) 48.33 (SB)

2. Michael Tinsley (USA) 48.90

3. Jehue Gordon (TRI) 49.47.

• WOMEN

100m:

1. Carmelita Jeter (USA) 10.93

2. Kelly-Ann Baptiste (TRI) 10.97

3. Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (JAM) 11.10 4. Schillonie Calvert (JAM) 11.23

7. Aleen Bailey (JAM) 11.36.

400m:

1. Sanya Richards-Ross (USA) 49.66 (SB)

2. Rosemarie Whyte (JAM) 49.84 (PB) 3. Novlene Williams-Mills (JAM) 50.46 4. Shericka Williams (JAM) 50.64.