LONDON, (Reuters) – Former 100 metres world record holder Asafa Powell withdrew from this week’s London Diamond League meeting yesterday with a back and hamstring strain.
The Jamaican, whose 100m duel with Tyson Gay was to be one of the highlights of the Crystal Palace event, is suffering with the same injury that forced him out of the Stockholm meeting last week.
“I am disappointed that I will not be able to run at the London Grand Prix as I love running in front of the Jamaican fans here,” Powell said in a statement.
“I visited the doctor yesterday and he has advised me not to run in order to help the recovery of my injury. I had hoped it would be better but unfortunately this is not so.”
The withdrawal of Powell, who held the 100 metres world record for three years until it was lowered by Usain Bolt in 2008, is a blow to organisers who had hoped to stage a showdown between Powell, Gay and Olympic and world champion Bolt.
Bolt declined to enter because of tax reasons and has since been ruled out for the season with injury.
Gay’s main rival in London will now be fellow American Walter Dix, the Olympic bronze medallist.
The London Diamond League meeting is today and tomorrow.
