By Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer
Powell
NATIONAL 100 metres record holder Asafa Powell wants to shed the favourite's tag for this month's Athens Olympics. Powell, who whipped 2000 Olympic champion Maurice Greene and world champion Kim Collins at the London Grand Prix last Friday says that victory has put pressure on him for Athens glory.
In an interview with Weltklasse/Golden League website yesterday Powell said the real favourites for the event are Americans Greene and Shawn Crawford.
Powell was quoted in an Associated Press report last Friday saying he was the man to beat.
"They (the Americans) were the guys to beat and I beat them," Powell said after his 9.91 seconds victory over Greene at the London Grand Prix.
STEP DOWN
Now he wants to step down from that statement.
"Greene and Crawford are the top favourites for the gold medal," Powell said.
Greene's best time this season is also 9.91. The 2000 Olympic champion, Crawford who boosts a season best of 9.88 and Justin Gatlin (9.92) will represent the United States in the 100m in Athens.
Powell expects tomorrow's Weltklasse/IAAF Golden League 100m in Zurich to bring out the best in the world top 100 metres runners.
"Friday's (tomorrow) race is like a little Olympic final," said Powell. He described meeting Greene, his idol, in London as a motivation.
"He (Greene) was a nice person to me and did not show any attitude. He, Linford Christie and Frankie Fredericks are the greatest sprinters of the 20th century in my opinion," Powell told Weltklasse/IAAF Golden League website.
200M RACE
The two-time national champion also hinted he might not compete in the 200m.
"At the Olympic Games I will run the 100m for sure and in addition maybe the 200m."
Tomorrow's Golden League field will include Americans Greene, Gatlin, John Capel (9.95 this season), Coby Miller (9.99), Bernard Williams (10.04) and Darvis Patton. They will be joined by world champion Collins of St. Kitts & Nevis and Powell's Jamaican teammate Michael Frater.
Chris Pinnock will face Americans Allen Johnson and Duane Ross in the men's high hurdles. Dean Griffiths, Danny McFarlane and Kemel Thompson face world champion Felix Sanchez of Dominican Republic, who is one of five athletes remaining in contention for the US$1m jackpot in the men's 400m hurdles.
The women's 100m which will include Jamaicans Sherone Simpson, Aleen Bailey, Veronica Campbell, Beverly McDonald and Tayna Lawrence, along with Frenchwoman Christine Arron, Americans Lauryn Williams, Inger Miller, Debbie Ferguson and Allyson Felix should be hot.
National record holder Brigitte Foster is the only Jamaican listed for the 100m hurdles. She should face strong competition from world champion Perdita Felicien of Canada and Glory Alozie of Spain.
