By Gary Smith, World-Track
Asafa Powell of Jamaica running in the men's 100m in Rome
KINGSTON ——
Jamaican sprinting star Asafa Powell has once again dismissed the proposed one off USA versus Jamaica Sprint Challenge the Americans requested after the Beijing Olympics last year.
The former 100 metres world record holder says the challenge was this year in Berlin.
“We had the challenge this year and we won,” Powell told reporters after arriving in the island at the weekend. “Every year is a challenge so there is no reason to have one specific meet for us because every year there is a challenge out there and we are winning them.
“I don’t think we need to have anything more.”
Jamaica dominated the sprint events at the last two major championships, first winning all the short sprints at the Olympics last year and then returned to do just about the same this year at the world championships in Berlin.
Triple Olympic and world champion Usain Bolt has been at the forefront of the tiny nation’s sprinting dominance in the past two seasons and Powell believes Jamaica will continue to dominate.
“We have put a big dent in the sprints which can’t be straightened out for now,” Powell, who was returning to the island for the first time since his 100m bronze medal performance in Berlin.
“We are just doing great things and it’s not going to stop. I said it last year, and saying it again, its not going to stop, we are going to still be out there dominating,” he added.
The future of the sprinting division on the men’s side is definitely in safe hands for years to come with the likes of Bolt, Powell and Tyson Gay, LaShawn Merritt and Jeremy Wariner leading the pack.
And it is likewise on the women’s side with Shelly Ann Fraser, Carmelita Jeter, Kerron Stewart, Veronica Campbell-Brown, Allyson Felix and Sanya Richards heading the list.
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Hey Powell why do you include yourself in the dominance. You aren’t finishing behind Bolt every time. Your finishing behind an American. Bolt may be dominating everyone right now but do not forget Tyson Gay just ran a 9.69 fair. That means he is only one year behind Bolt. What is Bolt going to do to make sure he can go faster then 9.58 because he is going to have to if you guys are still going to dominate. Please get off Bolt’s coat tails and realize that when it comes down to it your just the little engine who couldn’t hold it through the line. So shut up and step aside because there is only one man on your Island who caqn go up against America by himself. He is doing it well but it ain’t you. So Shut It!
Tim. Tyson is 27 or 28, Bolt is 23. What did you say again about Tyson being one year behind? Tyson is at his peak…Bolt hasn’t reached his at yet. If Tyson gets to 9.58, Bolt would already run 9.50 or less.
Okay and when Bolt reaches 27 or 28 don’t you think there will be someone else coming up on Usain’s butt. I know Tyson is older. I mean his performances are only 1 year behind. And if I am right and Tyson can hit those times next year will be a blast to watch. But Asafa won’t be part of that clash.
americans can be so hateful 2wards jamaican sprinters im so glad that until these feelings cool down there will be no major competitions in that country 4 now.
Asafa has every right to say what he did. Asafa has now run more sub-10 times than anyone in history. He has 3 WRs and a Gold Olympic relay medal after running the fastest split in history. He can proudly keep his head up. Tyson Gay has no WRs to his name and no Olympic medals, and will be past his prime by the next Olympics.
Not only has Asafa been a great sprinter, but when you consider the times that Bolt, Nesta Carter, Michael Frater, and Yohan Blake have run (especially this year), then the next few years will look like a carbon copy of the last 2, with Jamaica dominating the male sprints. Through in Daniel Bailey and Richard Thompson, and you may end up seeing an all Caribbean medal ceremony every time.
Asafa Powell helped pave the way for the rest of the Jamaican men. He deserves accolades and admiration, not derision.
and stacy lastly, him in the guiness book of records for 2008 publication so mek them gway
Tim is just a biased a$$. What a surprise.
When those guys get on the line, it’s THEM running, it’s not Jamaica vs. the US. SMH. lol.