Tough to match our fast feats, says Powell
Pragya Tiwari, Nov 19, 2016, New Delhi: DHNS:
Asafa Powell belongs to the age of athletics that has seen a clutch of superstars.
The 100M specialist was once the man to beat before fellow Jamaican Usain Bolt burst onto the scene. Together, they brought the best out of each other and pushed the standards so high that Powell believes it would be tough to match for the coming generations.
Powell was part of the fastest 100M race in history when Bolt sped to immortality by clocking a world record time of 9.58 seconds in the World Championships in Berlin. American Tyson Gay was second in a time of 9.71, with Powell claiming bronze in 9.84.
The mention of the race still brings a smile on Powell’s face. He believes Bolt’s record would be tough to break . “That was pretty much the perfect race. I am pretty much the best starter in the world and there was Usain in front of me. It is a record that is going to stand for a very long time,” said Powell, who is in India as brand ambassador of Airtel Delhi Half Marathon, as part of a Puma initiative.
“It’s very difficult to really follow into our generation’s footsteps after we retire. Usain and I have done a lot for the sport. The rivalry all of us had, it has been great over the years. I am sure someone will come, I don’t know, if they will be as fast we have been running over the years, but for the sport to really maintain this excitement, the media, federations and athletes all will have to play a part.”
Elaborating on his rivalry with Bolt, Powell said: “Our rivalry is quite different from what it used to be back in the days. Today we have a friendly rivalry. I am really happy for him and his achievements.”
The 33-year-old sprinter held the 100 metres world record between June 2005 and May 2008, with times of 9.77 and 9.74 seconds. In fact Powell, fondly called the ‘sub-10 king’, has broken the 10-second barrier a staggering 97 times, with his personal best of 9.72 seconds being the fifth fastest in the history.
Yet, a major title, be it the World Championships or the Olympic gold, has eluded him. He, though, has two Olympic gold medals in the 4x100M relay (2008 and 2016).
“For many years the entire world expected me to win a major title. I have fallen short in that. It’s been a long journey and I am still grateful for my accomplishments. I really wanted the medal, it’s not that I didn’t want it. But things happen. I have been getting injuries every year at the wrong time, people don’t know the background of everything,” he said.
Powell’s longevity has been a standout feature of his career. He was understandably proud of it. “Most sprinters start running very fast by 26, 27 and by 30 they retire. I started when I was 18 and I am 33 now and I am still going very strong. It is not common thing for sprinters to go so long.”
Powell, who faced a reduced six-month suspension for consumption of a stimulant, refused to speak about the dope cloud hovering over World athletics, calling it a “touchy” topic. He, however, looked forward to the World Championships in London next year. “Hopefully I will be able to go till the Commonwealth Games (Gold Coast 2018) and then will see,” he said.
The 100M specialist was once the man to beat before fellow Jamaican Usain Bolt burst onto the scene. Together, they brought the best out of each other and pushed the standards so high that Powell believes it would be tough to match for the coming generations.
Powell was part of the fastest 100M race in history when Bolt sped to immortality by clocking a world record time of 9.58 seconds in the World Championships in Berlin. American Tyson Gay was second in a time of 9.71, with Powell claiming bronze in 9.84.
The mention of the race still brings a smile on Powell’s face. He believes Bolt’s record would be tough to break . “That was pretty much the perfect race. I am pretty much the best starter in the world and there was Usain in front of me. It is a record that is going to stand for a very long time,” said Powell, who is in India as brand ambassador of Airtel Delhi Half Marathon, as part of a Puma initiative.
“It’s very difficult to really follow into our generation’s footsteps after we retire. Usain and I have done a lot for the sport. The rivalry all of us had, it has been great over the years. I am sure someone will come, I don’t know, if they will be as fast we have been running over the years, but for the sport to really maintain this excitement, the media, federations and athletes all will have to play a part.”
Elaborating on his rivalry with Bolt, Powell said: “Our rivalry is quite different from what it used to be back in the days. Today we have a friendly rivalry. I am really happy for him and his achievements.”
The 33-year-old sprinter held the 100 metres world record between June 2005 and May 2008, with times of 9.77 and 9.74 seconds. In fact Powell, fondly called the ‘sub-10 king’, has broken the 10-second barrier a staggering 97 times, with his personal best of 9.72 seconds being the fifth fastest in the history.
Yet, a major title, be it the World Championships or the Olympic gold, has eluded him. He, though, has two Olympic gold medals in the 4x100M relay (2008 and 2016).
“For many years the entire world expected me to win a major title. I have fallen short in that. It’s been a long journey and I am still grateful for my accomplishments. I really wanted the medal, it’s not that I didn’t want it. But things happen. I have been getting injuries every year at the wrong time, people don’t know the background of everything,” he said.
Powell’s longevity has been a standout feature of his career. He was understandably proud of it. “Most sprinters start running very fast by 26, 27 and by 30 they retire. I started when I was 18 and I am 33 now and I am still going very strong. It is not common thing for sprinters to go so long.”
Powell, who faced a reduced six-month suspension for consumption of a stimulant, refused to speak about the dope cloud hovering over World athletics, calling it a “touchy” topic. He, however, looked forward to the World Championships in London next year. “Hopefully I will be able to go till the Commonwealth Games (Gold Coast 2018) and then will see,” he said.
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