File photo shows Asafa Powell getting a hero's welcome shortly after arriving at the Norman Manley International Airport on June 15 last year after blitzing a stunning 9.77 seconds to set the then world record for the men's 100 metres in Athens, Greece. - JUNIOR DOWIE/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (CMC):
WITH THE track and field world focused on his response to Justin Gatlin's taking of his world 100-metre record on Friday, Jamaican sprint ace Asafa Powell skipped the 100-metre sprint and opted only for a relay outing at the Felix Sanchez Invitational on Saturday.
Gatlin sliced 0.01 seconds off Powell's world record on Friday in Qatar with a 9.76 clocking and many fans were anticipating an immediate charge by Powell at the new mark Saturday at the Felix Sanchez Olympic Stadium in Santo Domingo.
But Powell, who has pledged to regain the world record, opted out of the 100 metres and teamed up with Nestor Carter, Mario Forsyth and last year's 100-metre World Championship silver medallist Michael Frater to land the men 's 4x100-metre relay for Jamaica in 38.73 seconds.
The quartet beat the USA's line-up of Ron Bramlett, Mardy Scales, Coby Miller and Rae Edwards, who clocked 39.38. The Dominican Republic ended third in 39.66.
Powell, who had set a new world mark when he clocked 9.77 seconds at the Athens Super Grand Prix meet in June last year, hailed Gatlin's record run and hinted that the new mark could be in jeopardy when the two world sprint stars clash at the Norwich Union Grand Prix in England on June 11.
"I am happy for Justin Gatlin, we are good friends and will meet at the June 11 Grand Prix in Gateshead, England, where great things could happen," Powell said in an IAAF website story yesterday.
"He (Gatlin) borrowed the record. I will get it back. I am capable of running 9.60," added Powell.
TOP CONDITION
The 23-year-old Commonwealth Games champion emphasised that he is in top condition and confident of reclaiming the world record.
"I am in my best shape ever. I never felt so well. That is why I can say that I will get the record back," Powell said.
Frater captured the men's 100 metres in 10.42 seconds and the Jamaicans snatched another win when Vonette Dixon landed the women's 100 hurdles in 13.36 seconds.
There was disappointment for the meet's star and local hero Felix Sanchez, who fell in his 400-metre hurdles race after suffering the recurrence of a foot injury that has plagued him in recent seasons.
Fred Sharpe went on to win the event narrowly in 49.59 seconds over Joey Woody, who clocked the same time in an American one-two finish.
