Chambers controversy

Local hero Jonathan Edwards was beaten into second place by Christian Olsson in the triple jump.

But all the interest was centered around the 100m as meeting officials turned what should have been a showpiece world-class sprint race into a farce, insisting three star athletes who did not hear the recall gun must compete again only seven minutes after a false start had been called.

Commonwealth champion Kim Collins as well as top US sprinters Bernard Williams and John Capel finished the entire home straight of the highly-awaited race, totally unaware it had been aborted.

Then, incredibly, instead of giving them a sufficient rest period, the trio were immediately ordered back into their starting blocks.

Away cleanly on this occasion, Chambers powered to an easy victory in a time of 10.27 seconds. Behind him, the minor placings also fell to Britons.

Former world junior champion Mark Lewis-Francis was second in 10.35sec - only 0.01sec ahead of 200m specialist Darren Campbell.

In their wake Capel, winner in Friday's Rome Golden League meeting, placed fourth, US champion Williams was seventh and Collins last.

Despite the circumstances, Chambers was pleased about only his second victory in 10 months - but there were mixed reactions from the visitors.

Williams did not have to explain his feelings. The 2001 world bronze medallist threw a chair across the media's interview tent.

Critical of the starting equipment, Capel said: ''The gun has got to be sorted out, because there was a top-class field and to have it spoilt by something as simple as the starting gun, is just not good enough.''

Collins, the first to cross the line after not hearing the starter's recall gun, said: ''I don't know what I heard, as the second gun was not as loud as the first.

''I just assumed the race was still going as other people were still running.''

Insisting they should have had a rest period, Collins added: ''I ran a full race, and the time we had was hardly enough for a second race.''

Chambers stayed out of the controversy. ''It is something that occurred and you just have to be prepared for these things,'' he said.

''I heard the first recall, but I wasn't sure because everybody else was still running. Then I heard the second and saw people slowing down. I do not know if the race should have been restarted as quickly as it was, because I won and I am pleased about that.''

But the Londoner admitted: ''I am sure that worked in my favour. It is all down to mind and body and how prepared you are to deal with situations like this.''

Ninety minutes later Chambers returned to the track - and narrowly failed to add the 200m title to his name.

In a thrilling finish, Chambers was overhauled by a fast-finishing Christian Malcolm, who ran a storming final 10m of the race.

The Welshman won by 0.02sec in a time of 20.73sec. Last year's Commonwealth silver medallist Marlon Devonish finished third in 20.78sec.

The season's debut of Gateshead Harrier Jonathan Edwards, who will defend his World triple jump title in Paris next month, ended in defeat on his home track.

But after picking up a back injury in the third round, the Olympic champion was content after finishing second behind European champion Olsson.

The Swede won with 17.92m, Edwards more than happy to clear 17.61m in the opening round.

''I can honestly say I am delighted at my performance," he said.

There was no controversy about Steve Backley's superb victory in only his second javelin competition of the season.

Showing he has fully recovered from a knee operation, Backley sealed victory with a heartening throw of 85.69m ahead of Germany's Boris Henry (83.52m) and Russian Aleksandr Ivanov (81.69m).

''That was OK,'' said four-times European champion Backley, who only opened his season at the beginning of the month throwing 79.66m for a low key win in Sweden. ''If I am being picky, I should have thrown further in excellent conditions. I should be happy with throwing 85m and also be pleased with six good throws which tested the injury.'