Powell may miss races following groin trouble
KINGSTON, Jamaica: World 100 meters record holder Asafa Powell could miss the next IAAF Golden League meeting which would automatically rule him out of contention for at least a share of a $1 million jackpot.
The next Golden League meeting is in Paris, but according to his manager Paul Doyle, there is a possibility that Powell may miss the meet.
"I would say it's about 50/50 chance right now," Doyle said.
However, Doyle also says they will wait and see how the treatment goes.
"It's too early to tell. We are not going to cancel him from the meet as yet. It's definitely too early to tell," Doyle said of Powell, who along with American quarter milers Sanya Richards and Jeremy Wariner, won all six events in the Golden League last season.
Powell injured his groin during the 100 meters final at the Jamaican National Championships on Saturday.
After encountering a brief delay at the start of the men's 100m final, Powell showed some discomfort midway through the race almost had to stop running in the first 60 meters.
The World Athlete of the Year persisted with his dash and crossed the line in 10.04 seconds (+1.0 m/s wind), but then immediately lay flat on his back for about three minutes.
He was helped to his feet and briskly taken away for treatment without speaking to reporters.
A source close to the MVP Track Club said Powell is still in some discomfort and could not feel his left leg when tried to lift it up.
However, Doyle said, "I spoke to Asafa this morning and he doesn't suspect the injury is that bad."
"It's not the same injury he had in 2005; it's on a different spot on the leg," Doyle told AFP in a telephone interview. "He is walking around pain free."
AFP
(China Daily 06/27/2007 page24)
