Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer
Powell
AFTER PROMISING he will break the world record by month-end if France beat Brazil in the World Cup quarter-finals, joint world 100m record holder Asafa Powell takes aim at that target today in Paris.
The star Jamaican sprinter threw down the gauntlet in a betting agreement published on the Maximum Velocity Performance (MVP) Club website between Powell, who was backing Brazil and his coach, Stephen Francis, who is a big supporter of France.
Francis had promised he would run a lap if France lost.
So later today at the second Golden League meeting in Paris, Powell, who shares the world record of 9.77 seconds with American Justin Gatlin, said he is ready to rewrite the mark.
"My goal is simple - run fast from the start to the finish line," Powell told a news conference on Wednesday.
In most races Powell seems to ease up towards the finish line.
"I'm in good shape. I know anything can happen, anything is possible at this meeting," said Powell, who ran 9.77 seconds for the second time on June 11 at Gateshead in Britain.
"About the question, if I'm going to get the world record just for myself? It's certain. I'll do it," the 23-year-old added.
Powell is expected to face Jamaican and MVP training partner Michael Frater, who is the World Championships silver medallist and 200m Olympic champion Shawn Crawford of the United States.
Also scheduled to participate in the men's event are Americans Leonard Scott, Jason Smoots and Marcus Brunson, Trinidadian Marc Burns, Ronald Pognon of France and Churandy Martina of the Netherlands Antilles
Meanwhile, Sherone Simpson, the world's fastest woman for the past two seasons, is down to face Sydney 2000 Olympic triple gold medallist Marion Jones in the women's 100m.
World champion Lauryn Williams, along with her American teammates MeLisa Barber and Torri Edwards, Bahamian Debbie Ferguson and Kim Gevaert are other top athletes in the field.
Maurice Wignall will line-up in the men's 110m hurdles against Olympic champion Liu Xiang of China, and Americans Terrence Trammell, Allen Johnson and Dominique Arnold.
Danny McFarlane, the Olympic Games silver medallist, awaits American Kerron Clement in the men's 400m hurdles.
Shericka Williams will again face Jamaican-born American Sanya Richards in the women's 400m, which also includes American Dee Dee Trotter and Christine Amertil of The Bahamas.
Delloreen Ennis-London and Brigitte Foster-Hylton will contest the women's 100m hurdles against World champion Michelle Perry of the United States.
