As we said in this space yesterday, this newspaper empathises with Mr Asafa Powell who was forced to withdraw from the individual men’s 100 metres at the 13th International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) World Championships now underway in South Korea because of a groin strain.
However, there are troubling mixed messages and seemingly muffed communication related to this unfortunate development, which as a responsible newspaper we feel duty bound to examine.
The official statement explaining the reason for Mr Powell’s withdrawal — which presumably originated with Mr Powell’s management team — said in part:
“Powell suffered a groin strain in Budapest on July 30 and has had recurring tightness and pain ever since. After Budapest, Asafa missed eight days of training before he could attempt to sprint again. When he returned to the track he was able to sprint but it caused the groin to flare up.”
Now, hard as we try, this newspaper is unable to square this with the expressions of high confidence attributed to Mr Powell in recent days.
On Wednesday, Mr Powell was being reported in the regional and international press as saying “I am the number one sprinter right now, I’ve got the fastest times this year, I would say I am the man to beat …”
And earlier in the week he was being reported as saying “I think I have a great chance, a 99 per cent chance of winning” the 100 metres men’s event in South Korea.
If as Thursday’s statement said Mr Powell had been struggling with “recurring tightness and pain” since July 30, how is it that he could have spoken with such bravado as was reported?
We are aware, of course, that he could have been misquoted, misrepresented or taken out of context. It’s an unfortunate truth that there are some in the media who seem more interested in the ‘great story’ from their perspective than the unvarnished truth.
But if that’s the case, those responsible for PR and ‘image’ in Mr Powell’s management team should have seen it fit to encourage him to correct the false impression and make his situation absolutely clear.
As it is now we are left to wonder about the credibility of Mr Powell and his team. Why should we believe anything they tell us henceforth?
In the circumstances, Mr Powell and his handlers should not be surprised when the more cynical among us attribute his withdrawal to another case of “choking” rather than physical injury.
Also, we are extremely disturbed at how Mr Powell’s withdrawal first became public knowledge.
As we understand it another Jamaican athlete inadvertently let it slip at a media conference.
Official word of Mr Powell’s misfortune came sometime after.
That’s simply not good enough.
Jamaica’s sportsmen and women are among the best in the world. Our administrators, including those responsible for basic communication, must step up.
