joint World 100m record holder Asafa Powell wins in Oslo (© Getty Images)
Oslo, NorwayThe world’s fastest man gave a press conference today ahead of his appearance here this Friday (15) in the ExxonMobil Bislett Games, the start of the IAAF Golden League 2007.
“I am coming back to the Bislett Games because of the audience. If they do their best, then I can give a little extra.”
“Last year the atmosphere was good here (Oslo) but it (the weather) was cold but I still ran 9.96 (heat) and 9.98 (final), so I hope with better weather I can do a little better now….It’s a fast track here,” commented the World 100m record holder.
“I am the best sprinter at the moment. I never doubt myself, and I believe that I will win. Yes, I am the best.”
“My target is to run under 10sec. How close to 9, I cannot tell you now, but I am in very good shape now.”
“I won’t be disappointed if I don’t improve the World record (here in Bislett). The most important event for me this year is the World Championships (Osaka, Japan, 25 Aug to 2 Sep 2007) but I also hope to win the Golden League Jackpot.
“To win the Jackpot it is going to be really tough,” confirmed Powell who was one of six athletes to share the $1 Million prize in 2006.
Powell’s start to this season was hampered by tendonitis which occurred just as the Commonwealth sprint champion was about to start his speed work in the final stage of his build up to competition. The 24-year-old twice equalled his own World record of 9.77 last year, and in his only 100m race so far in 2007 he ran 9.97 in Belgrade on 29 May.
Chris Turner for the IAAF