Powell out but may return later

Andre Lowe, Senior Staff Reporter

Jamaican sprinter Asafa Powell will definitely miss his next two assignments in Berlin and Brussels due to injuries, but may still compete towards the back end of the season, according to his agent Paul Doyle.

Doyle, who was speaking to The Gleaner from Zurich on Wednesday, ahead of yesterday's Samsung Diamond League meet, explained that the Commonwealth Games champion will most likely not play a part in the two upcoming meets but may be able to run later on if his condition improves.

Powell, who is the second-fastest man this year, having ran 9.82 seconds in Rome two months ago, was scheduled to compete at the IAAF World Challenge meet in Berlin on August 22 before lining up against world leader Tyson Gay at the Brussels Diamond League meet six days later.

"We will be pulling out of Berlin and Brussels, respectively, but that's because of injuries," said Doyle.

The agent, however, left the door open for a possible late season showing or two if there is enough improvement to the former 100m record holder's fitness levels.

"Again, we have definitely determined that we are not going to Berlin or Brussels, as it relates to anything beyond that, we'll see how it goes," added Doyle.

Powell suffered back and hamstring injuries after competing in Paris and was also forced to pull out of a highly anticipated 100m clash with Gay and compatriot Usain Bolt in Stockholm, Sweden. He has been reportedly experiencing discomfort and is still unable to train at 100 per cent.