Bolt loses to Gatlin in Rome

Usain Bolt of Jamaica (R) competes with Justin Gatlin of the US (L) during the men's 100m event at the Golden Gala IAAF Diamond League at the Olympic stadium in Rome, June 6, 2013. Gatlin won the race with Bolt coming in second. [Photo/Agencies]

ROME - Reigning world and Olympic champion Usain Bolt lost by a hundredth of a second to American Justin Gatlin in the 100-meter dash at the Golden Gala meet on Thursday night.

The Jamaican finished 9.95 seconds after Gatlin's 9.94 to suffer his fist significant loss since his false-start disqualification at last World Championships two years ago.

But he did not seem worried after the loss. "For me it is just going through the season," said Bolt, the world-record holder and six-time Olympic champion. "Put things together for the world championships. The season is still very early."

Gatlin, who has won all five of his 100-meter races this year, said he will try to be better-equipped to challenge Bolt this season.

"He's a legend. He's done great things and I just want to go out there and just fight to the end," he said.

Jimmy Vicaut of France finished third in 10.02.