Injured Powell out of 100m
GOLD COAST: The Commonwealth Games will be without one of its star attractions after Asafa Powell’s withdrawal from the 100m due to a mystery injury.
Jamaica’s team boss Dalton Myers confirmed the 2006 Commonwealth 100m champion would not race alongside countryman Yohan Blake in the event next month.
Myers said he had not received word on the specifics of the injury but Powell had pulled up lame at a meet and opted to rest, given the Games’ early placement in the racing calendar.
The former world record holder’s gold at Melbourne’s Commonwealth Games was his first major inter national title and one he cheri shes.
He spoke late last year about his aim of becoming the first man to break 10 seconds 100 times during the Gold Coast event.
But he has been hampered by injury. He did not run last June’s national championship final, due to tendonitis, and is apparently still struggling with niggles this year.
‘‘We’ve had no official statement from him but I know he was aiming to come to the Games,’’ Meyers said.
‘‘I know he stopped midway through an event and since then the aim has been to focus on the rest of the season and get that rehabilitation.
‘‘If he turns up it will only be as part of the delegation, not to race.’’
Powell’s absence leaves training partner Blake, who has already arrived on the Gold Coast, and possible starter Andre De Grasse of Canada, as the most likely contenders.
Powell’s absence also opens the door for Australian champion Trae Williams, who clocked 10.10sec, the fastest time by an Australian in 11 years, earlier this year. — AAP