News24 May 2008


Gay-Powell Clash set for London – IAAF World Athletics Tour

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Tyson Gay outclasses Asafa Powell in the final stages of the men's 100m final (© Getty Images)

An eagerly anticipated 100m face off between World champion Tyson Gay of the U.S. and World record holder Asafa Powell of Jamaica has been set for the Aviva London Grand Prix on 25-26 July, organisers announced.

With both sprinters gearing up for the Olympic Games, the race at London’s Crystal Palace will likely be their only face-to-face prior to Beijing.

“London will be very crucial for me,” said Gay, who last year stormed to World titles at both the 100 and 200m in Osaka. “It is one of the biggest meets of the year right now and that is where it is going down between myself and Asafa. He has the title of being the World record holder and I have the title of being the World champion, and I think that is really good for the sport.”

Gay soundly defeated the Jamaican in Osaka, clocking 9.85, with Powell finishing third in 9.96, behind Derrick Atkins of The Bahamas. “If I run back-to-back rounds in London that will catapult me to the Olympics so I am really looking to run fast times in London.”

“The Aviva London Grand Prix is always one of the biggest meets on the circuit for me,” said Powell, who bounced back from his Osaka disappointment by breaking his own World record with a 9.74 dash two weeks later. “I always look forward to it, it’s always exciting, it’s just a special meet.”

The pair have met six times over the past two seasons, with Powell holding a substantial 5-1 edge.

After a minor chest injury, Powell is now back in full training, with his next appearance set for the Jamaican national championships in late June.

Gay has three solo races under his belt this spring, a pair of 200m outings and a 100m race. He won all three. His next major test comes on 31 May at the Reebok Grand Prix in New York where he will face Jamaican Usain Bolt. Bolt, 21, has taken the sprint world by storm this spring, clocking 9.76 and 9.92 in two of his three 100m races.

Bob Ramsak for the IAAF

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