THE EDITOR, Sir:

THE PARADOX of Asafa Powell's bronze-medal run in relation to Veronica Campbell's great 'gold rush' is a lesson in the benefits of will power and a never-say-die attitude.

To be truthful, Asafa has always lacked what philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche calls 'The Will to Power' or the 'Uberman' (Superman) complex - that attitude which says that if you believe in yourself, nothing is impossible. We know it simpler as mind over matter, which in philosophy has a whole new meaning.

But I am not discussing philosophy. I'm debating how a manwho I and many pundits deem 'the most complete sprinter of his era' cannot, and maybe even, will not mine a gold medal at a major championship.

Veronica Campbell, on the other hand, won the Olympic gold (the biggest prize) at the 200m and now she's world champion in the 100m. She also wants the Olympic 100m gold and I believe she can get it. Why? What is the difference between the two athletes? The same thing I mentioned before - 'The Will to Power'.

Asafa was leading his race for 40 metres before he remembered that he had 'hit his foot on the starting block'. Out of the horse's mouth, he then said he "panicked and gave up after seeing Tyson Gay pass him". This inadvertently allowed another man to pass him by. What I really believe happened to Asafa was that his 'stage fright' demon came back to haunt him - like some popular soccer stars of the past (van Basten, Serginho, Papin, et al) who looked great coming into major tournaments (namely the World Cup) but flopped.

Contrast this to Veronica Campbell who saves her best for the big moment. Look at how she powered through from fourth place to capture a photo-finish gold.

Her medals at the Olympics also showed her guts. This is what I think Asafa lacks, and if he does not acquire it he will continue to disappoint his adoring Jamaican fans who may just stop expecting much from him.

I am, etc.,

NICHOLAS ALEXANDER

nic7lex@hotmail.com