Powell not selected for World Indoors

André Lowe, Senior Staff Reporter

The Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) yesterday announced a team of 11 athletes and five officials for next month's IAAF World Indoor Championships in Athletics in Istanbul, Turkey.

There is no space in the squad for former 100m world record holder, Asafa Powell, among the four male athletes who were listed, while sprint queen Veronica Campbell-Brown will get a shot to defend her 60m crown, won two years ago in Doha.

Making the cut are national record holder Lerone Clarke, the second fastest man over 60m so far this year with a time of 6.47, as well as Powell's MVP Track Club partner, Nesta Carter, who currently holds the fourth-fastest time over the distance, 6.49.

Despite taking on his first indoor season since 2004, Powell has never openly stated an ambition to attend the championships, adopting a wait-and-see approach.

Nonetheless, with a 6.50 time under his belt, Powell is the third-fastest Jamaican and fifth fastest in the world overall, and as a result was not named, as only two athletes from each country are allowed to compete in individual events, according to IAAF rules.

With Clarke and Carter both registering faster times, Powell was never in the running once those two indicated an interest in competing.

"The selection is done based on the ranking of the athletes based on the current calendar period, as well as the window that is given by the IAAF for qualification," explained JAAA General Secretary Garth Gayle. "We can only invite two, and he (Powell) was the third fastest."

Gayle further explained: "We don't have indoor facilities so, of course, we can't have trials, so our first option has to be our top athletes in the IAAF ranking. They must meet the IAAF qualification requirements for the event, and their health, interest and availability must be indicated."

Sprint hurdlers Richard Phillips and Eric Keddo complete the male team and will line up in the 60m hurdles in Istanbul.

Veronica Campbell-Brown, who won at the last instalment of the World Indoor Championships with a time of 7.00, the seventh-fastest time in the history of the event, will once again lead the lines for the Jamaicans and will be looking to improve on her season's best 7.08. She will have Aleen Bailey for company in the event.

Vonette Dixon and Natasha Ruddock will feature in the 60m hurdles, while Patricia Hall, who has the second-fastest time in the 200m so far this indoor season, may feature in both the half-lap and one-lap events, along with Dominique Blake.

Kimberly Williams is expected to compete in the triple jump.

Former Olympic and World Championships 400m hurdles silver medallist, Winthrop Graham, has been named as coach.

Team: (Male) Nesta Carter, Lerone Clarke, Richard Phillips, Eric Keddo.

(Female) Veronica Campbell-Brown, Vonette Dixon, Aleen Bailey, Dominique Blake, Natasha Ruddock, Kimberly Williams, Patricia Hall.

Management: Judith Ewart (team leader), Quentin Aris (assistant manager), Lincoln Cox (team doctor), Fitz Coleman (technical leader), Winthrop Graham (coach).