LONDON — A confident Asafa Powell believes that “a lot of guys will eat my dust” in the 100 metres when track and field action begins later this week.
Powell, who has been labeled as a choker at the major championships in the past, is desperate to win an Olympic individual medal after missing out in 2004 and 2008 when he was a big contender.
The Jamaican former world record holder is now in London preparing for the Games and despite not getting most of the attention, he strongly believes he still has what it takes to be one of the best.
“If I don’t make the podium, I’ll be very disappointed,” Powell said last week.
“I know I have what it takes to go out there and put in on the track and a lot of guys will eat my dust.”
Powell’s fellow Jamaican teammates Usain Bolt, the triple Olympic gold medallist and world record holder and world champion Yohan Blake will start as the men to beat in the 100m, and he’s OK with that.
Blake defeated both Bolt and Powell at the Jamaica championships in June, but many are still backing the towering lanky sprinter to defend his crowns in London.
However, Powell, although admitting that Bolt will be the man to beat again, doesn’t believe it will be as easy as it was in Beijing 2008 when he won by day light.
With Americans Tyson Gay and Justin Gatlin running well also this season, the stage is well set for an exciting dash.
“It’s just going to be very exciting. I don’t know what is going to happen in the finals,” he said.
“All I know is a lot of people are expecting Usain to win way out in front but it’s not as easy as you think.”
Gary Smith is one of the leading writers for World-Track.org. He has over 10 years of running experience, as well as eight-years of coaching while covering several events, from the international to college level. Smith, who has covered events for publications such as Caribbean Net News, Cayman Net News, AFP and Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC), is also a frequent contributor of SportingAlert.com and TrackAlerts.com.
