Asafa Powell wins his semi-final heat at the Jamaican Champs (© Anthony Foster)
The status of the fitness of World 100m record holder Asafa Powell who was injured in the process of winning the Jamaican title last Saturday (23), has now been confirmed.
Powell injured his groin during the 100 metre final after showing discomfort from mid-way in the race but 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.
"It's still 50/50 right now," confirmed his manager Paul Doyle about Powell's chance of racing at his next planned outing in the Paris leg of the IAAF Golden League next week (Friday 6 July)
Doyle, commenting in a telephone interview from his Atlanta-based home, continued -
“We really have to see how he is doing towards the end of the weekend.”
“We are still going to head to Europe and hopefully he will still be able to run in Paris,” continued Doyle, who said Powell had been “doing better” since Tuesday.
“He (Powell) is not willing to risk anything in Osaka... if he is going to jeopardize his health, which will prevent him from running in Osaka ... then he won't run.”
Powell is schedule to resume training today (Thursday 28 June).
Anthony Foster for the IAAF