| |
 |
|
Asafa Powell of Jamaica celebrates after winning the men's
100-metres in Ostrava at 9.85 on Thursday June 9 (Photo by
Kurt Morris) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Powell's manager
puts an end to absentee rumors
Friday
February
24, 2006
MELBOURNE,
Australia - Although it has already circulated in the media that
Jamaica's 100m World record holder Asafa Powell will make his
international debut at next month's 2006 Commonwealth Games in
Melbourne, Australia, his manager Paul Doyle, confirmed on
Thursday that the sprinter will definitely travel for the Games.
Ready to make
International debut
 |
 |
|
Jamaican sprinter Veronica Campbell in action (Photo by
Allsports) |
|
|
|
Powell, who made his international debut for Jamaica at the
2002 Games in Manchester, was reportedly still injured and would
not make the trip so as to concentrate on the summer's productive IAAF Grand Prix circuit and its money spinning World Cup final
at the end of the season.
However, Doyle dismissed those reports, saying they were
"untrue" and revealed that the Jamaican ace sprinter will fly to
Melbourne next Tuesday.
"The comments are
completely untrue," Doyle said, referring to suggestions made
the world's fastest man would be an absentee.
"Asafa's groin has made tremendous improvements and his training
has hit a new level. Although we cannot say his groin is
absolutely healed and at 100 per cent, we do not foresee this as
a problem come March."
 |
|
|
|
Jamaican hurdler
Lacena Golding-Clarke
(Photo by Allsports) |
|
|
|
Powell ran a
world record 9.77 seconds last summer at an IAAF meeting in
Athens, but after favoured to win the 100m gold at the 10th IAAF
World Championships in Helsinki, he suffered a groin injury at
the Norwich Union London Grand Prix that forced him to sit out
the rest of the outdoor season in early July.
Strong Jamaican contingent - three defending champions included
Powell will lead
a strong Jamaican contingent to Melbourne, which also includes
World Junior 200m record holder Usain Bolt, Veronica Campbell
and Triple Jump World champion Trecia Smith. Campbell is
expected to run in the women's 200m and the sprint relay; Bolt
will contest the men's 200m, while Smith will feature in her
specialty.
Also among the
selections were three defending champions from 2002, Michael
Blackwood, in the men's 400m, Elva Goulbourne in the women's
long jump and in-form sprint hurdler Lacena Golding-Clarke.
However, it was
reported that Dwight Thomas, a former national sprint double
champion and world 100m finallist, and Danny McFarlane, the
silver medallist in the men's 400m hurdles in Athens, would not
compete because of injuries.
The Jamaican
squad was chosen based on present form, world rankings and
performances from last season, since there were no Jamaica
national championships for the event.
Jamaica won 17
medals, four gold, six silver and seven bronze in Manchester, 14
of which came in athletics.
The Caribbean
country will also compete in netball, badminton, cycling and
table tennis, sending a total team of 102 competitors.
MEN - James
Beckford, Michael Blackwood, Usain Bolt, Omar Brown, Davian
Clarke, Lerone Clarke, Lansford Davis, Michael Frater, Germaine
Gonzales, Andrew Gutzmore, Dean Griffiths, Chris Pinnock, Asafa
Powell, Dorian Scott, Maurice Smith, Lansford Spence, Winston
Smith, Kemel Thompson, Ainsley Waugh, Wilbert Walker, Ian
Weakley, Maurice Wignall, Chris Williams.
WOMEN -
Michelle Ballentine, Karen Beautle, Sheri-Ann Brooks, Daniele
Browning, Veronica Campbell, Peta-Gaye Dowdie, Deloreen
Ennis-London, Lorraine Fenton, Brigitte Foster-Hylton, Lacena
Golding-Clarke, Elva Goulbourne, Korine Hinds, Madrea Hyman,
Arieta Martin, Sandie Richards, Olivia Mckoy, Sherone Simpson,
Kenia Sinclair, Ronetta Smith, Trecia Smith, Shavon Stoddart,
Novlene Williams, Shellene Williams, Shericka Williams.
Gary Smith - World-Track Sports Media
|
