Athletics
Bolt faces Powell test
2010-07-15 07:54
Email | Print
Paris - World sprinting sensation Usain Bolt comes up against Jamaican compatriot Asafa Powell in the 100m for the first time this season at Friday's IAAF Diamond League meeting here.
Bolt, the reigning world record holder in the 100 and 200m, opened his season with a 9.86sec outing in Daegu, but then had to cancel several meets after picking up an achilles tendon problem.
The 23-year-old made his return last week in Lausanne, clocking 9.82sec, and while insisting that he feels no pain in his tendon, said he was only firing at 80 percent of his capabilities.
That said, the cocksure triple Olympic and double world sprint champion insisted he would aim for a season's lead time of around 9.7sec come Friday.
"I'm in good shape," Bolt said. "I'm not yet 100 percent, maybe 80 percent. As long I'm running in a straight lane, it's good."
Bolt's outing in Lausanne matched the current season's lead set in Rome by Powell, the former world record holder.
"On Friday I think we will see a serious race as Asafa said he is ready for me," said Bolt. "I haven't competed against him yet this season. He is in great shape. He has been injury free and consistent around 9.8sec."
Powell was the last to beat Bolt in the 100m, edging him in Stockholm two years ago. Bolt has since remained undefeated in both the 100 and 200m.
"I'm looking forward to run 9.7sec based from what I did in Lausanne," said Bolt. "I ran 9.82 there in pretty good conditions, but when you know that the competition level is higher, you can expect a better time."
Friday's field also sees another Jamaican, Yohan Blake, competing alongside Churandy Martina of the Dutch Antilles, Trinidad's Richard Thompson and up-and-coming French sprinter Christophe Lemaitre, who clocked 9.98sec in snatching the France record last week.
South African world champion Mbulaeni Mulaudzi will compete in the men's 800m, with Sudan's Abubaker Kaki sure to be in the running.
In the field, home fans' eye will be glued to the men's pole vault, where French duo Renaud Lavillenie and Romain Mesnil will be up against the best in Australian world and Olympic champion Steve Hooker.
Another world champion, Phillips Idowu, takes part in the men's triple jump.
In the women's events, American Allyson Felix will be a strong candidate to win the 200m
Cuban Dayron Robles will not, however, renew his rivalry with American David Oliver over the 110m hurdles, the Olympic champion and world record holder haviong been ruled out with a groin injury he sustained in training.
Robles' agent Tony Campbell said the Cuban would probably not be back on the track until the London Diamond League meet at Crystal Palace on August 13-14.
The hurdler's absence leaves Oliver as firm favourite for an event in which he has come three-hundredths within the world record.