STOCKHOLM, (Reuters) – Former 100 metres world record holder Asafa Powell has no idea when he will be fit to race again after pulling out of today’s 100 metres at the Diamond League meeting in Stockholm with a back injury
Jamaican Powell had been due to face world record holder Usain Bolt and American Tyson Gay in first showdown this year between the three fastest 100 metres sprinters of all-time.
“I hurt my back three weeks ago and I’ve been doing some work on it. It’s still not better, it’s kind of weird but it’s not getting better and I’m just hoping for the best,” Jamaican Powell told a news conference Thursday.
“We’ve been doing a lot of work on it and hopefully it will be better soon.
“It’s my lower back. I haven’t had any injury like this before. It’s the first time and I don’t really know how to explain it but it hurts like hell,” added Powell, who along with Bolt has the fastest time over 100 this year of 9.82 seconds.
The 27-year-old was disappointed at missing the chance to race against his two biggest rivals.
“I made the decision yesterday. I went back on the track and tried to do some training, and it’s still not coming together.”
“Since the start of the year, this is the race that I’ve been looking out for. I’ve been really excited about it so I’m very disappointed. I wanted to go out here and go against Usain and Tyson, get a feel for it and have some fun.”
Compatriot Bolt, whose season has been hindered with an Achilles tendon problem, was sympathetic to Powell’s plight.
“It’s sad because I think people were really looking forward to the three of us showing down,” Bolt told reporters.
“I know how it feels to be out. As an athlete you train all year round to compete, and when it’s time to show up it’s really hard to just sit and watch a race,” said Bolt.
“I wish him all the best and I hope he gets fit so he can get a last race in for the season.”
Bolt, Powell and Gay are scheduled to race each other over 100 metres at the final Diamond League meeting of the year, in Brussels on Aug. 27.
