POWELL
CMC:
REPORTS SURFACING this past weekend that Jamaica's world 100-metre record holder Asafa Powell was doubtful for the Commonwealth Games in March are being refuted by the sprinter's manager.
An Australian newspaper reported Jamaican 400-metre runner Sandie Richards as saying the world's fastest man was still on the mend from a groin injury and was not certain to run at the Commonwealth Games in March.
But Powell's manager Paul Doyle sought yesterday to clarify those reports saying: "The comments attributed to Sandie Richards in reference to Asafa are completely untrue."
RECORD HOLDER
Powell became the new world record holder over 100 metres last June in Athens, where he clocked 9.77 seconds.
Doyle, in a RunnersWeb web site story, said Powell was due to arrive in Melbourne on February 28.
"At this moment, Asafa plans on competing and winning the 100 metres in Melbourne as well as helping the Jamaican team's quest for gold in the 4x100 metres," he said.
Doyle added that Powell is training well and is in fine shape even though the injury may not be "absolutely healed".
"Asafa's groin injury from 2005, has steadily improved through the winter. In particular over the course of the last six weeks Asafa's groin has made tremendous improvements and his training has hit a new level.
AHEAD
"He is actually ahead of where he was last year at this time. Although we cannot say his groin is absolutely healed and at 100 per cent, we do not foresee this as a problem come March," Doyle said.
In what Commonwealth Games organisers are billing as "Magic Monday at the MCG", Powell is expected to tackle some of the world's best sprinters for the 100-metre gold medal on March 20.
Commonwealth Games Chairman Ron Walker said yesterday he was delighted with confirmation that Powell would be at the Games.
The Games will have 4,500 athletes from 71 nations participating from March 15-26.
