• Athletics

Powell pulls out of Stockholm showdown

ESPN staff
August 5, 2010
Asafa Powell has a personal best of 9.72 seconds in the 100 metres © Getty Images
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Former world record holder Asafa Powell has been forced to withdraw from Friday's clash with triple Olympic champion Usain Bolt and American Tyson Gay because of injury.

Friday's Diamond League meeting in Stockholm was billed to be the first meeting of the year between the three fastest sprinters in the world, but the Jamaican has pulled out after suffering back and hamstring problems.

"I am absolutely devastated," said Powell. "I have been running very well and I was hoping that I would be in the race with a solid chance to win. But with the way I have been feeling I know it would be difficult to even finish the race."

Powell, who has clocked 9.82 seconds this year, the joint fastest time in the world this year, suffered a minor groin injury in the Paris Diamond League last month, and was unable to train for ten days after he developed pain in his back and hamstring.

"Asafa tested himself with starts from blocks and was just unable to push from the blocks without severe pain," said a statement on Doyle Management Group's website.

However, despite Powell's absence both Bolt and Gay are expecting a fast race.

"It's sad because I think people were really looking forward to the three of us [racing]," Bolt said. "But it's still going to be a quick time."

"It put a little dampener on it, but it's just as big a race," Gay added. "I know I'm going to need to run my best to even be in the camera shot."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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