AP-Asafa Powell from Jamaica is seen during the first heat of the men's 100 metres race at the Track and Field Golden Gala meeting in Rome's Olympic stadium, Friday, July 11, 2008. Former 100-metre world record holder Asafa Powell has pulled out of the final at the Golden Gala meet due to a groin problem.

Leighton Levy, Freelance Reporter

Tightness in the groin is the early, unofficial diagnosis on former world record holder, Asafa Powell, who pulled out of the men's 100-metre final in the Rome Golden League meet yesterday.

Powell, who led his heat comfortably before pulling up suddenly about 30 metres from the line, just managed to make the finals with a time of 10.19 seconds.

It was later announced that he was withdrawing from the finals that was eventually won by Portugal's Francis Obikwelu in 10.04. Jamaica's Nesta Carter was third in 10.05. Derrick Atkins of The Bahamas was second in 10.04, while another Jamaican, Michael Frater, was fifth in 10.12.

precautionary move

President of the MVP Track Club, Bruce James, said yesterday he had been in contact with the camp in Europe and reports that Powell complained of tightness in his groin and he was withdrawn as a precautionary move.

"Our athletes are taught that if they are running and feel pain not to hurt themselves any more," James said.

Powell's agent, Paul Doyle, said since this is an Olympic year they were "not taking any chances".

"He's OK, but he felt his groin cramp up and stopped running as a precaution," Doyle said.

James said Powell will most likely see a doctor today to determine if there is an injury.

This is not the first time that Powell has been plagued by a groin injury. In 2005, Powell sustained a groin injury at the national trials to select the team to the World Championships in Osaka, Japan. He aggravated the injury weeks later at a meet in London and had to watch from the stands as Justin Gatlin won the gold medal in the 100-metre sprint. Michael Frater won the silver medal for Jamaica in that race.

Powell is also just recovering from a shoulder injury he sustained while weight training earlier this season.

James was unable to offer an explanation for the poor performance from Powell's teammate, Sherone Simpson, who finished sixth in 22.88 seconds, in the women's 200-metre sprint that was won by countrywoman Kerron Stewart in 22.34 seconds.

He said Simpson had been suffering from a cold earlier this week and that may have impacted on her performance yesterday.