Powell to face Gay in Golden Gala
Published:Tuesday | June 30, 2009 | 1:27 PM
Jamaica’s former 100 metre world record holder Asafa Powell and reigning World double sprint champion Tyson Gay of the USA will square off in the 100 metres at Rome’s Golden Gala meet on Friday, July 10.
Both sprinters have opened their 2009 campaigns in sterling fashion, setting the stage for one of the most anticipated battles of the evening at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico.
Powell, who was plagued with injury earlier in the year, showed good form on Saturday at the Jamaican trial with his 9.97 runner-up finish to Beijing Olympic triple gold medallist Usain Bolt.
Gay has returned from injury in impressive form. He opened his season with an impressive 19.58 dash in the 200 metres in New York on May 30, followed up with a wind-assisted 9.75 in the opening round of the 100 metres at the US Trials in Eugene last weekend.
The field also includes rising American star Michael Rodgers, who took the US 100 metre title in Gay’s absence with a wind-aided 9.91.