Defending champion Usain Bolt has expressed his disappointments at hearing about the withdrawal of his fellow countryman Asafa Powell from the 100m field at the upcoming World Athletics Championships.
Powell, who has been bothered by a groin injury, which had ruled him out of the Crystal Palace meeting earlier this month, has failed to recover from the problem.
This means that the 28-year-old will not face the starter’s gun for the individual event – something that saddens world record holder Bolt.
“It’s really sad,” Bolt told BBC Sport.
Powell holds the current world best at 9.78 seconds, and Bolt says it must be hurting to him to know that he won’t be able to continue his outstanding start to the season.
“At this point I can just imagine how he’s feeling (to know that) at this last minute he’s not able to compete after doing so well throughout the season.
Bolt added: It’s really sad. I was looking forward to it (the battle). It was going to be a showdown and it was gonna be good.”
