POWELL
JAMAICA SPRINT sensation Asafa Powell is in Ostrava, the Czech Republic, for today's big International Association of Athletic Federations (IAAF) Golden Spike meet.
Powell, who was recently edged into second place by American Olympic champion Justin Gatlin in the 100m at the Prefontaine Classic in a wind-aided 9.84 seconds in Oregon, will face Britain's top man, Darren Campbell, and American Bernard Williams in his pet event.
Campbell, a member of the British 4x100 relay Olympic gold medal winning squad, is the reigning world championships bronze medallist in the 100m. Williams, who won the Olympic silver medal in the 200 last year, will make his second outing of the year in the shorter dash.
NIGERIAN COMPETITION
The world leader in the 100m with his 9.84 seconds, which was done at the Jamaica Invitational International meet last month, is also down to face three-quarters of the Nigerian 4x100 relay quartet that captured the bronze medal in Athens - Deji Aliu, Aaron Fasuba and Aaron Egbele, along with his MVP and Jamaica teammate Michael Frater, who won silver at last year's NCAA Championships.
Responding to question at a press conference about the fact that no sub-10 clocking has ever been run in the Czech Republic, Powell said: "Well, I didn't know that. Then I can do it for you, guys."
The meet also offer 1,000,000 Czech crowns (about US$40,000) for a world record and asked if he will go for it, Powell said: "I will race and do my best. If I run fast enough and I earn some money, that's great."
Jamaica will also be represented in the 110 metres hurdles where Olympic fourth-place finisher Maurice Wignall is to face the starter.
Meanwhile, Brigitte Foster-Hylton and Sherone Simpson are down to contest the women's 100m. Foster-Hylton is also down for the 100m hurdles.
Kemel Thompson (400m hurdles), Michelle Ballentine (1000m), Germaine Mason (high jump), Davian Clarke (400m) and Debbie-Ann Parris (400m hurdles) are also set to participate at the meet.
