RAKVERE, Estonia (AP) Justin Gatlin won a 100-metre race in 10.24 seconds yesterday in his first competition after a four-year doping ban.

Gatlin's time at the small Bigbank Kuldliiga meet in Rakvere, northeastern Estonia, was nearly 0.4 seconds off the pace that made him Olympic champion in 2004.

The 28-year-old American sprinter finished .07 seconds ahead of countryman J-Mee Samuels, while Rubin Williams, also of the United States, was third in 10.54.

"I felt good, I felt alive," Gatlin told The Associated Press. "I'm a little disappointed in the time. I run half the race just kind of cycling through it.

"But I think this is a good comeback, to get my feet wet, and I hope going into the next races will be bigger and better."

Gatlin won his qualifying heat earlier yesterday in 10.34.

None of the other competitors at the meet had a personal best below 10 seconds.

Gatlin won gold in the 100 at the 2004 Athens Olympics in 9.85. He won the 100 and 200 at the 2005 World Championships in Helsinki, but was banned from the sport after testing positive in April 2006 for excessive testosterone. The ban ended last month.

Gatlin, who is aiming for the 2012 London Olympics, is set to compete again Sunday in Tallinn, the Estonian capital.

His coach, Loren Seagrave, said Gatlin was smooth and relaxed, particularly in the heat, but still needs to "polish" his speed.

"The first 20 metres weren't characteristic Justin. I think he still has a lot more left," Seagrave said. "The only thing he needs now is opportunities to compete."