Source: Christian Coleman’s 60-meter record won’t be ratified

Christian Coleman’s world record in the 60-meter dash will not be recognized by track authorities, a person with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press on Friday.

Coleman set the indoor world record of 6.37 seconds on Jan. 19 in Clemson, South Carolina. But the person said the record will not be submitted for ratification by USA Track & Field because there was no “zero gun” test and because electronic starting blocks were not in use. The blocks measure false starts.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the person was not authorized to speak about the decision before it is made public.

A “zero gun” test is used to check the automatic timing system at track events.

With the record wiped away, Maurice Greene will retain the fastest 60-meter time of 6.39 seconds he first set in 1998 and equaled in 2001.

The 21-year-old Coleman won the silver medal in the 100 meters at the track world championships last year in London, beating Usain Bolt but finishing behind American teammate Justin Gatlin.

Coleman ran the 6.37 last month in his season-opening race, bettering his previous personal record by 8 hundredths of a second.

Because the record will not be ratified, Greene remains the only person to run under 6.40 in the 60 meters.

Coleman is expected to run in the 60 again on Saturday in Boston, and the U.S. indoor championships start Friday in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

The indoor world championships are scheduled for March 1-4 in Birmingham, England.