Asafa Powell races Carter at Paris meet
Former 100-metre world record holder Asafa Powell will compete in tomorrow’s IAAF Diamond League meeting in Paris, hoping to prove there is still some speed left even though he anxiously awaits the outcome of his doping ban appeal next week.
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Powell is among 10 Jamaicans on the provisional entry lists for the Paris Diamond League meeting.
The former world champion, who is free to compete pending the outcome of his doping appeal,was due to race for the first time in a year last weekend after testing positive for oxilofrine at the Jamaica trials. However, he pulled out of the National Trials because of stomach cramps.
Powell appealed the 18-month suspension imposed by Jamaica anti-doping authorities, asking the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to cut the sanction to three months.
The CAS hearing is set for Monday and Tuesday.
At the Paris Diamond League, Powell is down to contest the men’s 100 metres along with fellow Jamaicans Nickel Ashmeade, Kemar Bailey-Cole and Nesta Carter.
The race also includes American Michael Rodgers and Kim Collins of St Kitts and the Nevis.
Also returning to action is Jamaican top female sprinter Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, who had to withdraw from Diamond League meetings in New York and Shanghai following a series of poor performances.
The World sprint double champion is listed to contest the women’s 200 metres along with her Jamaican teammate Simone Facey.
The Jamaicans will face off with Americans Allyson Felix, Tori Bowie and Kimberlyn Duncan, along with Blessing Okagbare of Nigeria.
The other Jamaicans down to compete are London 2012 bronze medallist Hansle Parchment in the men’s 110-metre hurdles; Stephanie-Ann McPherson and Novlene Williams-Mills in the women’s 400 metres and Roxroy Cato in the men’s 400-metre hurdles.