Montgomery flops in Stockholm

Results from Stockholm

Montgomery had not raced since June

World record holder Tim Montgomery could only finish sixth behind fellow American Justin Gatlin in the 100m at the Stockholm Grand Prix.

Gatlin streaked away to win in 10.15 seconds, but Montgomery looked well short of form ahead of the World Championships as he trailed home in 10.37 secs.

Montgomery had taken time off after finishing second behind European champion Dwain Chambers in Glasgow at the end of June to be with his newborn child and girlfriend Marion Jones.

The race was delayed for some time for a number of faulty starts, and in-form Nigerian Deji Aliu was eventually disqualified.

Jonathan Edwards, bidding to retain the triple jump title he won last year, had to settle for third place behind Christian Olsson.

Edwards lost his European title to Olsson last summer and was also beaten by his heir apparent in this year's World Indoor Championships.

Olsson won with a best of 17.36m, only two centimetres ahead of Romanian Marian Oprea.

Edwards had a best effort of 17.14m.

"I just had nothing in my legs out there," said Edwards, 37, who twice just ran through the jumping board, after messing up his step phase.

"But I'm not disappointed - my season's only just begun."

Ben Challenger was never in the hunt as he aimed to achieve the world high jump qualifying standard of 2.27m.

The former World Student Games gold medallist placed ninth with a clearance of 2.15m as Jamaica's Jermaine Maison claimed a surprise win with a 2.32m jump.

In other results, the women's 100m was won by French star Christine Arron in 11.11 secs, with defending world champion, Zhanna Block, back in fourth place in 11.45 secs.

American Allen Johnson continued his hot 110m hurdles form by streaking home ahead of compatriot Duane Ross, who had led him out of the blocks.

Women's number one Brigitte Foster also looked impressive as she surged to victory in the 100m hurdles.

Kenyan 3,000m steeplechaser Stephen Cherono ran another remarkable race to better his 2003 world best time, finishing in 8 minutes 4.75 seconds.

And there was disappointment for the home crowd as Kajsa Bergqvist could only finish fourth in the women's high jump.

Bergqvist has been close to the world record of 2.09m this summer, but could only clear 1.95m.

Hestrie Cloete won with a jump of 2.01m.