KINGSTON, Jamaica, June 26, 2006 (AFP) - The sprint showdown between co-world record holders Asafa Powell and Justin Gatlin may not take place next month unless a deal can be reached soon, said Powell’s manager on Monday.
Stephen Francis said the anticipated July 28 sprint duel at the London Grand Prix at Crystal Palace between Jamaica’s Powell and American Gatlin was still being worked out.
``As we speak, there is no agreement,’’ said Francis.
Organizers of the Grand Prix announced earlier this month that the two sprint kings would go head-to-head in the 100 metres.
But Francis said Powell would be in London but he didn’t know what event he would run in.
Francis said Powell’s agreement doesn’t limit him to running just the 100 metres and that he could decide to run the 200 metres.
``Unless there is an agreement between Trevor Graham (Gatlin’s coach) and myself, and Paul Doyle (Powell’s manager) and Gatlin’s manager Renaldo Nehemiah, I suspect there is no such thing to race on July 28,’’ Francis said.
Powell and Gatlin, the World and Olympic Champion, both clocked 9.77 seconds in races this year.
Powell’s camp was so inspired by his joint world-leading time in the 200 metres on Sunday they said he will be gunning for more success over the distance in Europe this summer.
We didn't have any 200 metres in the plan but I am sure you will see him run more,'' Doyle said. Powell leaves Wednesday with his Jamaican teammates for European portion of the outdoor track season. Powell and MVP Track Club teammates Sherone Simpson, Michael Frater and Brigitte Foster-Hylton will be based in Italy. Powell, co-holder of the 100m world record, equalled the world-leading time of 19.90 seconds in the 200m on Sunday at the Jamaican athletics championships. Doyle anticipates calls from European meet directors for a Powell and Wallace Spearmon clash. Spearmon also ran 19.90 seconds in the 200m on Sunday at the United States national championships. Powell said last week he was forced to run the 200m by Francis. But after Sunday's performance, he is glad he did it. My coach has more confidence in me than I have in myself – so whatever he says will just do it,’’ said Powell, the 2006 Commonwealth Games 100 metres champion.
The Kingston race was billed as a showdown between Powell and 2002 world junior champion Usain Bolt, whose fastest time over the distance is 19.93. But Bolt did not enter.
I am really strong and I can be the best in both events,'' said Powell, whose next race is July 8 at the Paris Golden League event. Asked if the 200 metres will become a part of his package on the European circuit, he replied, I can run anything I want to, I can even go to the 400,’’ he said.
``I just want to finish the season on top, win all my races and continue to be number one,’’ he said.
Powell’s training partner Simpson completed the women’s sprint double at the Jamaican nationals by winning Sunday’s 200 metres in a world-leading 22.00 seconds, the fastest time since American Inger Miller ran 21.77 in August 1999.
Simpson, who beat her previous best of 22.14 seconds, clocked a world leading 10.82sec in winning the 100m.
