Powell will not commit to defending Commonwealth Games 100m title

By Steve Campbell, World-Track

RIETI, Italy — Former 100-metres world record holder Asafa Powell is still uncertain as whether he will defend his Commonwealth Games title, but the sprinter is not ruling out the possibility.

Powell, a back-to-back World Championships bronze medallist over the 100m, won the event at the last Games in Melbourne, Australia in 2006 and is seen as a strong contender to defend his crown in New Delhi, India next year.

His participation, however, is still tentative as he wouldn’t commit to running at the event.

"We’re not sure about all the plan for next year," said Powell, who was a member of the Jamaican team that dominated the sprints at the last Games.

"But I’m always looking forward to run," said the man who has a personal best of 9.72seconds and a record of 57 for times faster then 10-seconds over the 100m.

Powell’s fellow countryman and world record holder Usain Bolt is also hoping to race at the Games, but will leave all the decisions to his coach Glen Mills.

Bolt, who dominated the 100m and 200m with world record performances at the Beijing Olympics and Berlin World Championships, missed the last event because of an injury, but said after sweeping the sprints in Berlin, that he would love to race in India.

Bolt and Powell were key-members of the Jamaican 4x100m relay teams that won gold medals in Beijing and Berlin.

The Jamaicans ran a world record time of 37.10seconds to win in Beijing and 37.32secs to win in Berlin.

The Games will run from 3 – 14 October 2010, and will be the first time India will be hosting the event. This is also the second time the event has been held in Asia, with Kuala Lumpur in 1998, being the first.