Olympics News and Info » Asafa Powell

Bolt and Fraser take 100M victory

RSS — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 22:52:53 +0000

Olympic 100-metre champions Shelly-Ann Fraser and Usain Bolt confirmed their readiness for this summer’s 12th IAAF World Championships in Berlin by posting world leading times in the blue riband event on day two of the Supreme Ventures National Senior Championships at the National Stadium last night.

Running in lane three, Fraser exploded from the blocks to lead from start to finish, just like she did at last summer’s Beijing Olympics.

Olympic champion Usain Bolt (left) celebrates approaching the finish line in the men’s 100m final ahead of former world record holder Asafa Powell on the second day of the Supreme Ventures National Senior Championships at the National Stadium last night. Bolt clocked an impressive 9.86 seconds. (Photo: Bryan Cummings)

The second fastest Jamaica woman of all time who previously struggled to break 11 seconds all season after an appendix operation in April, crossed the line in 10.88secs despite running into a head wind of (-1.5 m/s).

“Yes, I’m (satisfied) because my coach has been working really hard with me and I love him so much for all his patience and everything he has worked on for me,” Fraser told the Sunday Observer.

“I mean, it was a really bad season for me because I had to take out my appendix and after that I got a hamstring strain, so at times I was really frustrated, but my coach was my motivator, along with my teammates, so I thank God for that,” Fraser added.

Olympic silver medallist and defending champion Kerron Stewart, who entered the meet with the world leading mark of 10.92, surged in the last 50 metres after getting off to a poor start to claim second place with 10.93ses ahead of Commonwealth Games champion Sheri-Ann Brooks, 11.16.

Olympic 100m champion Shelly-Ann Fraser (right) wins the blue riband event ahead of Olympic silver medallist and defending champion Kerron Stewart at the National Stadium last night. Fraser clocked a fast 10.88secs. (Photo: Bryan Cummings)

Olympic silver medallist Sherone Simpson, who was running her first race since undergoing surgery on her left knee in September, finished fifth in semi-final two and did not make the final.

World 100 and 200m record holder Usain Bolt recovered from a less than impressive start to catch and pass early leaders Asafa Powell and Michael Frater at the 50-metre mark before cruising to victory in 10.86secs (wind -0.2).

Bolt, who was retaining his national 100m crown, was satisfied with his effort.

“I did not know it was a negative wind, so that is good because it shows that I’m really getting into shape and I’m feeling good after finishing injury-free,” Bolt said.

“The execution was good because I think I got a fairly good start as I didn’t get left in the blocks and I got my drive phase right even though I came up a little early,” he added, noting that he may take it easy in the 200 metres today.

World 100m bronze medallist Powell, who has struggled with an ankle injury all season, broke 10 seconds for the first time this season taking second position in 9.97seconds, ahead of 2005 silver medallist Frater, 10.02secs.

Powell said: “I’m pretty much running on one leg, so I’m very happy and my main aim here was just to finish in the top two.”

Earlier, Olympic semi-finalist Isa Phillips produced a world leading 48.05 seconds to win his first national 400m hurdles title ahead of 2004 Olympic silver medallist and five time champion (2003, ‘04, ‘06, ‘07, ‘08) Danny McFarlane, 48.54.

National junior record holder Josef Robertson produced a World Championship automatic qualifying mark of 49.22 to finish third.

The women’s equivalent went to Olympic gold medallist and record holder Melaine Walker, who had to catch the fast-starting 2006 World Junior champion Kaleise Spencer (54.71secs) in the last 20 metres to win by 0.01 with 54.70secs.

Pan American Games silver medallist Nickiesha Wilson finished third with 56.01.

In other finals contested yesterday, national 10,000m record holder Mardrea Hyman posted 10:09.58 to win the event over Korene Hinds, 10:35.89. Andre Drummonds won the men’s 1500m in 3:55.09secs.

Fireworks are expected in the finals of the men’s and women’s 400 metres today following some impressive running in yesterday’s semi-final round.

Olympic and World Championship semi-finalist Ricardo Chambers produced a season best 45.43secs to win semi-final one and progressed to the final with the fastest time ahead of Allodin Fothergill, 45.48.

Defending champion Michael Blackwood, who clocked 45.59 to finish fourth in his semi-final, was later disqualified for a lane violation (Rule # 1633.3).

On the women’s side, Olympic silver medallist Shericka Williams (50.88) and Novlene Williams-Mills (51.05) are the fastest qualifiers.

PowPow ready to rumble – its about time…!!!

RSS — Wed, 20 May 2009 07:47:29 +0000

Former 100 metres world record holder Asafa Powell says he is almost recovered from the left ankle injury which forced him to withdraw from the Qatar Grand Prix on May 8 after conceding he erred in competing at the 115th Penn Relays Carnival on April 25.

POWELL… everything is looking smooth right now because I’m trying not to make any more bad decisions.

“Everything is looking smooth right now because I’m trying not to make any more bad decisions. I made a bad decision to run at the Penn Relays. but now I’m just working, training hard and trying to get back the ankle to 100 per cent,” Powell told the Observer after training on Monday.

“I’d say I’m 90 per cent ready right now,” added the 2007 World 100m bronze medallist.

Running the anchor leg on Jamaica’s 4×100 team at the Penn Relays with his injured left ankle heavily strapped, Powell trotted to the finish line gingerly after aggravating the damage he sustained in training in early April.

A day before the race, Powell’s agent Paul Doyle indicated the second fastest man in the world would not compete in the sprint relay because he was feeling some discomfort in the ankle.

Now, with the injury almost fully healed and with 10 days to his next scheduled 100m race – at the New York Grand Prix on May 30 – Powell hopes to produce a worldleading mark.

“I don’t really have a time in mind, (but) it’s my second race (after Australia), so I want to go there and put down a benchmark because the fastest time for the year is 10-flat and that’s really nothing right now, so I want to go below that and continue from there, remaining on top,” a confident Powell said.

“Coming off last season, I made a promise to myself that I’m going to really come back and try to get below that 9.7 mark and got injured, but I’m still not going to let that stop me from achieving what I want this year,” he reasoned, noting that he hopes to be fourth time lucky at the Berlin World Championships in August.

Powell was disqualified after a false-start at the quarter-final stage at the 2003 Paris World Championships; missed the 2005 Helsinki edition with a groin injury, before giving up a lead at the Osaka 2007 World Championships to finish third.

The sprinter, who is three wins away from eclipsing American Maurice Greene’s record (52) of the most sub-10 clocking, believes he has finally got over the psychological problems which beset him at major championships.

“I find myself going into competitions with a different focus, so I think what we’re doing right now is really helping and we’re just working on every point that we think is weak. It’s just to wait on the World Championships and we’ll see what happens,” he declared.

Meanwhile, Powell expressed satisfaction with the performance of compatriot Usain Bolt, who showed no signs of discomfort while posting a world best 14.35 seconds in winning a 150-metre street race on Sunday in Manchester, England.

“It was a very good run. I’m sure he can do better because he’s just coming back (after his car accident), and he still represented well,” he reasoned.

“I’m really looking forward to competing with him this year because he did well last year and he knows that I’m still here breathing down his back and he can’t make any mistakes,” Powell added.

Bolt first erased Powell’s world record of 9.74secs at the New York Grand Prix with 9.72 before posting 9.69secs to win the Olympic 100m gold in Beijing.

Jamaica International Invitational meet in full motion

RSS — Sat, 02 May 2009 18:19:19 +0000

ALTHOUGH missing injury stricken Olympic champions Usain Bolt and Veronica Campbell-Brown, organizers are insisting that today’s sixth staging of the Jamaica International Invitational meet will still produce many top-class performances.

Chairman of the organizing committee for the IAAF Area Permit meet, Howard Aris, told Sporting World that track and field fans will have a treat inside Kingston’s National Stadium, starting at 6:30 pm.
Jamaican 100m Olympic silver medallist Kerron Stewart (right) and USA’s leading 400m women’s runner Jamaican-born Sanya Richards go through their paces at the National Stadium yesterday in preparation for today’s Jamaica International Invitational meet.

“We have an excellent field of athletes and very competitive events and we look forward to another outstanding evening of entertainment in track and field, as we have been witnessing for the past five years,” Aris said.

Athletes’ liaison and 1976 200m Olympic champion Donald Quarrie noted that even with the absence of Bolt and Campbell-Brown, “the overall quality of the competitors” will lead to excellent times.

The optimism from Aris and Quarrie for quality performances, is easily justified given the high calibre of athletes, listed to face the starter in more than 20 events.

The women’s 100m and 400m, as well as the men’s 400m hurdles, 100m and Shot Put should be among the hotly contested races on the three-hour programme.
Jamaican 100m hurdler Deloreen Ennis-London works out at the National Stadium yesterday as she prepares for today’s Jamaica International Invitational meet. (Photo: Bryan Cummings)

Shelly-Ann Fraser, who posted a mind-boggling 10.78secs to win the 100m in Beijing and silver medallist Kerron Stewart with a personal best of 10.80secs, will square off against the American pair of Marshevet Hooker and Bianka Knight.

Fraser told Sporting World that she will be using the race to fix her technique flaws, even as she faces some tough competitors.

“I’m just looking to accomplish a good time and to execute a proper race because right now it’s all about my start and technique that I’m focusing on at training,” Fraser said.

Kelly-Ann Baptiste of Trinidad and Tobago as well as Jamaicans Aleen Bailey and Schillonie Calvert completes the crack 100m field.

The men’s equivalent will feature Olympic silver medallist Richard Thompson of Trinidad and Tobago, American Darvis Patton, Jamaican junior record holder Yohan Blake and Dwight Thomas, as well as the 2003 World champion Kim Collins of St Kitts and Nevis.

Melaine Walker, the Olympic 400m hurdles record holder and gold medallist, will step down to the flat 400m to face-off against the current world number one, American Sanya Richards.

They will be joined by Rosemarie White, the seventh-placed finisher in Beijing, as well as 2007 World Championship bronze medallist Novlene Williams, along with rising stars Sonita Sutherland, Bobby-Gaye Wilkins and Moya Thompson.

The men’s 400m hurdles will pit Jamaica’s Danny McFarlane, the fourth-placed finisher in Beijing, against the silver medallist and current world number one Kerron Clement of the USA.

McFarlane, the Olympic silver medallist from Athens 2004, says despite a niggling calf problem, he is close to full fitness and will put on a good show today.

“I’m not a hundred per cent right now… I’m about 85 to 90 per cent, so I’ll go out there and see what can happen,” McFarlane said, noting that it will be his second race of the season after posting 49.96secs one week ago.

Clement, who posted 47.79secs to win here last year, told Sporting World he’s aiming to run a similar time today.

“It is my first 400 hurdle race (of the season) and I’m just looking forward to run an even race and winning in a similar time like last year,” Clement said. Olympic semi-finalist Isa Phillips will also face the starter in the one-lap obstacle race. The men’s Shot Put with world number two Christian Cantwell of the USA and Jamaica’s national record holder Dorian Scott should produce some big throws.

Bolt opens with 400m at the 2009 Camperdown Classics

RSS — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 02:44:18 +0000

TRIPLE Olympic gold medallist, Usain Bolt, began his 2009 season on a winning note, clocking 46.35 seconds in the Invitational 400 metres at yesterday’s fifth Camperdown Classics at the Stadium East in Kingston.

Running in lane five of heat three, Bolt covered his competitors by the 200m mark before cruising home ahead of fast-finishing Racers Track Club teammate Yohan Blake (46.80).

Bolt told reporters, including members of the international media, he was pleased with the time when compared to his 2008 season opener of 46.96.

“It was alright. I’m not really in the best of shape, but it felt good and I’m just happy I got through it and looking forward to next week,” Bolt said.

The world record holder for the 100m (9.69secs) and 200m (19.30secs) is scheduled to run another 400 at the UWI Invitational next Saturday at the National Stadium.

“I’ll be running a couple more 400s, but the main aim (this season) is the 100 and 200,” the 2008 National Sportsman of the Year added.

Answerth Whyte, another training partner of Bolt, was third overall with 46.89, ahead of Olympic quarter-miler Ricardo Chambers, 46.96.

World Junior 200m silver medallist, Nickel Ashmeade of St Jago, was the top schoolboy with 47.98 to win heat one of the Invitational 400m.

In the relays, Calabar and Holmwood Tech won the Class One 4×100 for Boys and Girls respectively.

The team of Oshane Bailey, Ramone McKenzie, Warren Weir and Ricardo Powell clocked 40.05 to erase St Jago’s 40.14 established last year to collect the $60,000 prize.

St George’s College was second in 41.26, followed by Jamaica College, 41.69.

On the girls side, Holmwood clocked 45.7secs to win ahead of The Queen’s, 46.0, and St Andrew High, 46.9.

Meanwhile, Waquar DaCosta of JC clocked a record 1:55.68 to win the Class Two 800m, bettering Bengallo Morrison’s 2005 mark of 1:57.1. The JC pair of Earl Grant (1:57.52) and Wayne Petrie (2:03.8 were second and third.

Asafa Powell’s team, MVP wins 4×400m at the Milo Western Relays

RSS — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 02:36:52 +0000

OLYMPIC sprint relay gold medallist, Asafa Powell, was in scintillating form at yesterday’s 31st Milo Western Relays, anchoring MVP Track Club to victory in the 4×100 and mile relays at GC Foster College.

Running on anchor after Ainsley Waugh, Michael Frater and Nesta Carter had given the team a lead, the former 100m world record holder sped to the finish line in a new meet record 38.72 seconds.

They shaved 0.15secs off the old mark established by another MVP quartet in 2006. Sprint Unit was a distant second with 40.12 while UTech timed 40.21.

Thirteen other records were broken at the meet which was being staged outside of Western Jamaica for the first time.

Powell, who opened his season with 47.75 seconds on January 31, ran another good 400m, this time in the mile relay to carry MVP to victory.

Collecting the baton some 10 metres behind in fourth position, he went out conservatively before sprinting the last 200m to overtake his competitors in the home stretch as MVP won in 3:10.56.

Powell, who was timed at 46.27secs on his anchor leg, told the Sunday Observer he planned to run a good 400 after taking instructions from coach Stephen Francis.

“When I saw that I was close to them coming out of the 200 metres, I knew that I would have passed them,” Powell said. “I’m feeling very good to finish the day with a 400 and run so well as a sprinter… I’m feeling very good about my performance today,” he added.

Meanwhile, Olympic 100m gold medallist Shelly-Ann Fraser gave the MVP women a splendid start as they won the 4×100m relay for Club and Institutions in record 43.37.

The other members of the team were Brigitte Foster-Hylton, Shericka Williams and Kaleise Spencer.

Beijing stars awarded national honours

RSS — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 04:28:45 +0000

SEVERAL members of Jamaica’s 2008 medal-winning Olympics team were yesterday honoured in a special ceremony and awarded with the country’s fifth highest national honour, the Order of Distinction, Commander and Officer Class.

In a classic 45-minute-long exercise witnessed by scores of excited Jamaicans, athletes Usain Bolt, Asafa Powell, Veronica Campbell-Brown, Shelly-Ann Fraser, Melaine Walker, Dwight Thomas, Michael Frater, Nesta Carter, Danny McFarlane and Bridgitte Foster-Hylton were honoured .

Six members of Jamaica’s world-beating delegation to the Beijing Olympics in August who were yesterday invested with the Order of Distinction (Commander class) at a special investiture ceremony at the National Stadium. From left: President of the Jamaica Amateur Athletics Association (JAAA) Howard Aris; triple gold medallist and world record holder Usain Bolt; gold medallist Veronica Campbell-Brown; Glen Mills, Bolt’s coach; former 100m world record-holder and Olympic gold medallist Asafa Powell; and 1976 Olympic 200m gold medallist and consultant in the preparations for the 2008 Summer Olympics Donald Quarrie. (Photo: Bryan Cummings

Jamaica finished the Beijing Olympics with a record haul of 11 medals – six gold, three silver and two bronze.
Bolt, Powell and Campbell-Brown were bestowed with honours in the rank of Commander, and their colleagues in the rank of Officer.

Also honoured were president of the Jamaica Amateur Athletics Association (JAAA) Howard Aris; Glen Mills, coach of Usain Bolt; 1976 Olympic 200m gold medallist and consultant in the preparations for the 2008 Summer Olympics, Donald Quarrie, who were awarded the Order of Distinction Commander Class (CD) for their service to track and field and their contribution to the athletes’ success.

The appreciative crowd, clad mostly in the green, yellow and black of the Jamaican flag which filled the stands to see the athletes, cheered and screamed to their hearts’ content, many calling out to the athletes as if they were lifelong friends.

From left: Nesta Carter, Bridgitte Foster-Hylton, Shelly-Ann Fraser, Michael Frater, Danny McFarlane, Dwight Thomas and Melaine Walker pose after being presented with the Order of Distinction Officer Class yesterday at a special investiture ceremony held at the National Stadium in Kingston. (Photo: Bryan Cummings)

“Is one of the best thing this mi ever si, whenever dem perform mi si crime cut so mi think the athletes should go into the garrison and go hol’ a vibe; it nice,” Solomon, a Kingstonian, told the Sunday Observer.

Meanwhile, triple world record holder Usain Bolt in a brief chat with the Sunday Observer could hardly find words to describe his emotions.

“It’s just great. I am enjoying it. It’s wonderful,” he said before being whisked away.

Kingstonian Charmaine Smith said she had enjoyed the brief ceremony to the hilt.

“It’s good. I go for everybody, all the athletes. At least the Government has done something good for them,” she said beaming.

Popular Jamaican actor Glen “Titus’ Campbell, a member of the team of organisers for the event, also took time to bask in the moment.

“I am very thrilled, it’s one of the times when I am very proud to be Jamaican,” he told the Sunday Observer.

American Carl Lewis questions Bolt’s Olympic performances

RSS — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 03:50:23 +0000

MIAMI, USA (CMC) – American Olympic legend Carl Lewis has raised stern doubts over Usain Bolt’s recent stunning performances but has stopped short of accusing the Jamaican sprint marvel of doping.
In an interview with Sports Illustrated, Lewis also lashed out at Jamaica’s drug-testing programme, saying that it too needed to be examined in light of the fact there was no random drug-testing of athletes.
“When people ask me about Bolt I say he could be the greatest athlete of all-time. But for someone to run 10.03 one year and 9.69 the next, if you don’t question that in a sport that has the reputation it has right now, you’re a fool. Period,” Lewis contended.
“I’m proud of America right now because we have the best random and most comprehensive drug-testing programme. Countries like Jamaica do not have a random programme so they can go months without being tested.
“No one is accusing Bolt, but don’t live by a different rule and expect the same kind of respect. How dare anybody feel that there shouldn’t be scrutiny, especially in our sport?”
Bolt raised eyebrows in Beijing last month when he jetted to World Record times in capturing three gold medals at the 29th Olympiad.
He clocked 9.69 seconds to win the 100 metres and returned to break American Michael Johnson’s 12-year-old, 200 metres record of 19.32 seconds with a new time of 19.30. In the process, Bolt became the first athlete in 24 years – Lewis was the last in 1984 – to win the coveted the sprint double.
The 22-year-old then crowned a fine outing with his third gold as a member of the Jamaica sprint relay team.
Bolt, along with the other Jamaican sprinters, were tested repeatedly at the Beijing Olympics but none of the results returned positive.
Lewis, the star of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics with four gold medals, said he also questioned Jamaican Veronica Campbell-Brown’s failure to make the 100 metres team for the recent Olympics.
“Veronica Campbell-Brown lives in the United States and has been transparent and consistent,” Lewis pointed out.
“She won the Worlds last year in the 100 metres and this year can’t even make the team. Are you going to tell me that shouldn’t be questioned?”
Dr Herb Elliott, the Jamaican team doctor who is also a member of the IAAF anti-doping commission, hit back saying: “They still think we don’t know anything down in Jamaica.
“I am the person who tests in Jamaica, and I tested Bolt 15 times between last November and December.”

Bolt runs 9.77 in cold, wet conditions for win Asafa runs 9.83 to take second

RSS — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 22:44:40 +0000

BRUSSELS, Belgium (AP) — Usain Bolt rallied against cold, wind and Asafa Powell to win the 100 meters in 9.77 seconds Friday at the Van Damme Memorial.

Running against a strong headwind in his season finale, the three-time Olympic champion had a bad start and watched Powell go ahead. But Bolt pulled even with Powell and used his long strides to finish 0.08 off the world record he set at the Beijing Games.

Powell, the only runner to defeat Bolt this season, finished second in 9.83. Nesta Carter made it a Jamaican sweep in 10.07.

“Asafa is a really fast guy,” Bolt said. “I’m getting used to chasing him.”

Powell joined Bolt in the celebrations around the track after the race, cheered by the sellout crowd of 47,000 at the King Baudouin Stadium.

Pamela Jelimo won the Golden League’s $1 million jackpot, capturing her sixth straight 800 meters in meet-record time. High jumper Blanka Vlasic of Croatia lost for the first time in the series, ensuring Jelimo did not have to split the prize.

The 18-year-old Jelimo finished in 1:55.16, almost four seconds ahead of world champion and fellow Kenyan Janeth Jepkosgei. Vlasic finished second to Ariane Friedrich of Germany.

Bolt said he was concerned about the cold weather, which registered 59 degrees at the start. He seemed frozen at the start, last out of the blocks.

Once Powell saw him next to him, he knew he was done.

“I came out to run fast. Usain really put on the pressure,” Powell said of Bolt, who won golds and set world records in the 100, 200 and 400-meter relay in Beijing.

While Bolt said goodbye for the season, it was farewell for good for double European sprint champion Kim Gevaert.

Before a cheering home crowd, she easily won the 100 in 11.25 ahead of Debbie Ferguson of the Bahamas and Me’Lisa Barber of the United States. She received a minute-long standing ovation from the crowd.

Gevaert anchored the Belgian 400 relay a silver medal at the Olympics.

Paul Kipsiele Koech failed to qualify for Kenya’s Olympic team, but won the 3,000 steeplechase in 8:04.99. He was five seconds ahead of countryman and Olympic gold medalist Birman Kiprop Kipruto.

With Ethiopian Olympic champion and world record-holder Kenenisa Bekele taking a break, Beijing silver medalist Eliud Kipchoge led a sweep of Kenyans in the 5,000, finishing in 13:06.12 in the rain.

In the women’s 5,000, Meseret Defar sought to avenge her loss to Ethiopian teammate Tirunesh Dibaba in Beijing by recapturing the world record. Instead, Vivian Cheruiyot of Kenya beat her in a sprint finish.

Delloreen Ennis-London clears her name linked to Sports Illustrated article

RSS — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 18:37:07 +0000

TWO-time world championship medallist, hurdler Delloreen Ennis-London has sought to clear her name following a report by SportsIllustrated.com this week which linked her to performance-enhancing drug in 2006.

In a letter received by the Observer bearing Ennis-London’s name, the two-time Olympian explained that she never used any banned substance.

The article, co-written by Luis Fernando Llosa and L Jon Wertheim, stated that the magazine obtained documents stating that between June 2006 and February 2007, two shipments of Somatropin (Human Growth Hormone, HGH) and one shipment of Triest (Estrogen) were sent to Ennis-London at a Texas address, while in November 2006 a shipment of Testosterone, Testosterone Aqueous, and Oxandrolone were sent to Adrian Findlay.

Below is the full text of Ennis-London’s reponse.
To my fans, supporters & the media:

In response to the story written in Sports Illustrated, I would like to clarify the situation once and for all. In May-June 2006, I experienced a severe female disorder. My local doctor was unable to find a solution, so I decided to seek alternative advice.

I explored several alternatives that led me to the AAG clinic in Miami which specialised in this type of disorder.

The doctor, Dr Shabanah, pointed out additional symptoms and short and long term problems if the bleeding continued. He informed me that this is common for females in my age group and the best and safest way to rectify the situation was to follow his protocol. He recommended several medications to treat the symptoms.

I informed Dr Shabanah that as a professional athlete, I am not allowed to ingest medication without first examining their ingredients. He assured me that the ingredients used to formulate this product are not illegal. I ordered the medication believing that it was not an illegal substance.

While I was in Europe, my husband received a package and opened it. He checked the contents of the package and found that one of the substances prescribed to treat the condition was on the IAAF prohibited list. My husband immediately disposed of the package, and contacted the clinic. He informed the clinic that ingredients in this product were not suitable for a professional athlete.

In February 2007, an unsolicited package arrived to my address. Recognising that it was from the same clinic, my husband immediately contacted the doctor and demanded that the credit card information be destroyed and ALL mail cease immediately. The doctor agreed, refunded the credit card and there was no further shipment. The second package was never opened but immediately disposed of. I have never laid eyes on either package’s contents.
I would like to stress that in nine years as a professional athlete I have never taken performance-enhancing drugs. I have been tested in and out of competition hundreds of times and have a 100 per cent clean record.

I want to say many thanks to all those who took the time to contact me or sent messages with your best wishes, family, friends and fans. I have found much comfort in your calls.

Delloreen Ennis-London

Bolt, Tyson, Powell to clash in 100m!!! – Powell is fully focused, Bolt is on fire and Tyson is seeking redemption

RSS — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 23:05:11 +0000

Usain Bolt will run the 100 metres in the fastest field ever assembled at the Van Damme Memorial tomorrow, seeking to break the world record for the third time this season.

The Olympic champion will face Asafa Powell, the former record-holder who matched the second fastest 100 of all time on Tuesday, and Tyson Gay, the world champion seeking to recapture his form after a hamstring injury.

“It is my last race” of the season, Bolt told reporters. “I’m definitely going out there to compete at my best.”

They are the three fastest men ever and have posted the 10 fastest 100 dashes ever run. Meet organizer Wilfried Meert said such a select field is unique.

“This has never happened before,” Meert said.
All eyes at the 50,000-capacity King Baudouin stadium will be on Bolt. The Jamaican won three gold medals and set three world records in Beijing last month to become the face of the games alongside swimming great Michael Phelps.

“Usain Bolt, we all know he is on fire right now,” Gay said.
On Friday, Bolt will be chasing his 100-metre mark of 9.69 seconds, which he set while slowing across the line and showboating over the last dozen metres. Some observers have said he could have gone below 9.6 if he had run hard all the way.

Friday’s meet gives Bolt a last chance to prove what he is really capable of. Yet he is also worried about ending the season without injury.

“I already got the biggest thing there is,” said the Olympic champion. “But it would be good to go out a winner.”
With the form he has shown since arriving from the Olympics, it should be good enough.

In Lausanne, Switzerland, on Tuesday, he eased up well before the finish in his 200 and still tied the fourth-best 200 of all time at 19.63 seconds, just 0.33 of his world record of 19.30 in Beijing.

Last Friday, Bolt won the 100 in 9.83 seconds in the Weltklasse meet in Zurich, his first competition since Beijing.
With the pressure of big competition challenges off, fellow-Jamaican Powell is at his very best again. Powell ran 9.72 in Lausanne, equaling the former world record Bolt set in New York City last May.

Powell’s time was a personal best by two-hundredths and was one-tenth faster than his season’s best, run in Monaco before his relative loss of form on the Olympic stage where he finished fifth.

“I’m very happy, after all that I’ve been through this year,” Powell said.

It will force Bolt to stay fully focused.
“Now there will be more pressure for me, but I will do my best,” Bolt said.

Gay, who failed to make the final in Beijing, is still slowed by a lingering hamstring injury.

“I don’t think I am as sharp right now, considering my leg, to be very, very, competitive with those guys,” he said, indicating he could still decide to skip the highly anticipated race.

If no human can stop him, Bolt’s biggest obstacle might well be the weather.

Weather predictions call for downpours and Friday’s temperatures will peak at just 20°C (68°F) in the afternoon and will have cooled down considerably by the time Bolt lines up at 8.30 pm. (1830GMT).

“It will all depend on the weather and it doesn’t look too good,” Meert said. “It will be very difficult for the athletes that come out of the heat of Beijing.”

Bolt is scared the cold could stiffen his muscles to the point of causing injury.

“I don’t like cold weather, really, but this is a job,” he said.