Powell powers to 9.95 in Kingston, Jamaica (© Errol Anderson - The Sporting Image)
Monte CarloAfter his 11monthold World record of 9.77 was equalled by Justin Gatlin two weeks ago, Jamaican Asafa Powell said that he would soon reclaim sole possession of the record. That opportunity could come as some of the world's fastest men begin their quest for a slice of the $1 million IAAF Golden League Jackpot at Oslo’s Exxon Mobil Bislett Games on Friday, 2 June, just one week from today.
Powell, fully recovered from a nagging groin injury that cut his season short last year, will begin his European campaign in Oslo. The 23-year-old has already claimed the Commonwealth title this year and has a 9.95 performance to his credit this season from his win at home in Kingston earlier this month.
Olusoji Fasuba will make his second appearance since his stunning 9.85 African record in Doha two weeks ago where he finished second to Gatlin. The 21-year-old Nigerian, who finished second to Powell at the Commonwealth Games in March, tied former World record holder Leroy Burrell as the sixth fastest man ever after his breakthrough dash in Qatar.
Powell's training partner and compatriot Michael Frater will compete as well, this year hoping to build on the momentum that carried him to a silver medal performance in Helsinki last summer.
The field also includes Gatlin's training partner, Shawn Crawford, the reigning Olympic 200 metre champion. While widely viewed as better over the half-lap, the 28-year-old American has three career sub-9.90 performances to his credit.
Also in the field are Jamaican Dwight Thomas, Marc Burns of Trinidad and Aziz Zakari of Ghana, all finalists in Helsinki last summer.
The women’s field is led by recently-crowned World Indoor 60 metre champion Me’lisa Barber. Fifth in Helsinki last summer after winning the U.S. title, the 25-year-old opened her outdoor season with an 11.06 dash in Carson last weekend.
Sherone Simpson, the Commonwealth 200 champion, returns to action in the 100. Last year, the 21-year-old dashed to personal best 10.97 at the Jamaican National Championships prior to her fifth place finish in Helsinki. In Melbourne, Simpson produced a personal best 22.14 over the half-lap, still the fastest in the world this year.
The field also includes two other Helsinki finalists: Bahamian Chandra Sturrup, who was fourth in the Finnish capital; and American Muna Lee, who was seventh.
LaTasha Colander, the 2004 U.S. champion and Olympic finalist, is in the field as well, along with Olympic 200 metre bronze medallist Debbie Ferguson and 2001 World champion Zhanna Block of Ukraine.
An injury will sideline French star Christine Arron who is expected to begin her Golden League campaign in Paris. Allyson Felix, the reigning World champion at 200, was forced to withdraw after suffering a severe case of strep throat.
Click on the title below for the original Jackpot announcement:
New Jackpot, New Opportunities – IAAF Golden League
2006 IAAF Golden League Events:
Men: 100m, 400m, 1500m, 3000/5000m, Long Jump, Javelin Throw
Women: 100m, 400m, 3000/5000m, 100m Hurdles, High Jump
IAAF Golden League - Dates and venues in 2006:
Friday 2 June, OSLO, NOR
Saturday 8 July, PARIS, FRA
Friday 14 July, ROME, ITA
Friday 18 August, ZURICH, SUI
Friday 25 August, BRUSSELS, BEL
Sunday 3 September, BERLIN, GER
Bob Ramsak for the IAAF
