Asafa Powell playes catch-up in Brussels (© Getty Images)
MonteCarlo Male World Athlete of the Year and the fastest man in history, Asafa Powell has now signed to compete in the entire series of the IAAF Golden League 2007.
“Since running 9.97 for 100m in Belgrade on 29 May my training has gone extremely well and I am very confident that I can combine the twin goals of a successful Golden League campaign with gold medal winning performances at the World Championships in Osaka,” said Powell from his base in Kingston, Jamaica.
In the six meetings of IAAF Golden League 2007, the 24-year-old super star of the track should find the necessary ingredients for such a task… the world’s best sprinters as his opposition and the added encouragement of a $1 Million Jackpot - athletes must win at all six meetings to acquire at least a share - which represents international athletics’ biggest annual payday.
IAAF President Lamine Diack said: “I am delighted that Asafa Powell has now signed up for all the IAAF Golden League meetings, which are the showcase for our sport. As a mark of the highest quality, the best meetings in the world deserve to have the best athletes.”
A spectacular 2006 season saw the Jamaican sprint ace remain undefeated at the 100m and run under 10 seconds on an unprecedented 12 occasions. He also won a share of the IAAF Golden League Jackpot, twice equalled his own World 100m record of 9.77 seconds, won the IAAF World Athletics Final, and at the start of a long season in March took the Commonwealth Games gold medal.
IAAF Golden League - Dates and venues in 2007:
Friday 15 June, OSLO, NOR
Friday 6 July, PARIS, FRA
Friday 13 July, ROME, ITA
Friday 7 September, ZURICH, SUI
Friday 14 September, BRUSSELS, BEL
Sunday 16 September, BERLIN, GER
IAAF Golden League Events in 2007:
MEN: 100m, 1500m, 110m Hurdles, Triple Jump, Javelin Throw;
WOMEN: 100m, 400m, 100m Hurdles, High Jump, Pole Vault.
IAAF
