INSANE NOT TO INCLUDE POWELL

Again Jamaica approaches another major global championship and once again a potential issue has arisen over the absence of athletes from the mandatory camp that has been set up in Birmingham, England. Reports are emerging that former world record holder Asafa Powell could be overlooked for Jamaica’s powerful relay squad because the sprinter has so far missed the camp in Birmingham, where apparently much-needed relay practices have been going on for the past week or so.

Logic would suggest that the JAAA would be within their rights not to consider Powell for the relay because he has not participated in any of the practices so far, and second, Jamaica doesn’t really need Powell to secure another Olympic gold medal. Lest you forget, Jamaica set a world record at the IAAF World Athletic Championships last summer without Powell, who injured his groin and was unable to participate in the championship. Jamaica ran 37.04seconds to break their own record of 37.10s set in Beijing in 2008.

However, in this particular instance, I believe, allowances can be made to accommodate Powell. Yes, he missed the training camp and valuable practice but a Jamaican team with a healthy Asafa Powell is a few fractions faster than that 37.04 team that ran in Daegu last September and with this likely being Powell’s last Olympics, he should be given the opportunity to run. The whole world saw a brave Powell put down an incredible performance at the national championships after hurting his groin and nearly missed the team altogether. But he showed great courage, flew out to the United States on Friday, June 28, to receive treatment and then flew back in time to run his semi-final and then the finals where he clocked an impressive 9.88s to finish third and qualify for the team.

Should he be punished now that he has taken the time and the necessary steps to have his groin fully recover so that he can give it his best shot while representing Jamaica? Yes, there has been ongoing animosity between the JAAA and the Powell’s MVP camp and yes, in many instances the MVP camp seemingly flouts every rule established by the JAAA with regards to the camps, but this is not about the JAAA or MVP; this is about Jamaica.

The speculation concerning Powell facing the possibility of not being selected, to me is yet another salvo between the two bodies where the athletes are being used as pawns in this ongoing struggle for power and egos. Stronger and more objective leadership is needed on both sides, and for once, the interests of Jamaica should come first.

The only way I see Powell not being able to make this relay squad is if he is unable to compete because of his sore groin. If he is fit then the solution is simple; let him start the relay. His speed is such that he will give Jamaica a clear advantage and it removes him from the equation early, allowing Blake, Frater, Bolt and company to take care of the rest of the legs and bring Jamaica gold and perhaps even a new world record, one that can never be broken in that Jamaica would be the first team ever to run a sprint relay faster than 37 seconds.

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9 Responses to “INSANE NOT TO INCLUDE POWELL”

Milo says:

July 23, 2012 at 5:30 pm

What has the JAAA really done for our OLYMPIC athletes over the years. Now VIP paid for their athletes to go to Italy where it happens to be their MAIN-traning GROUND in FOREIGN-LAND. Plus most of their athletes had commited contracts to wards certain meets before the starting of the OLYMPICS.

Secondly the OLYMPIC committe and the host country is the finicial bearer for the athletes HOUSING FACILITIES and not the JAAA and Ja tax-payers money. The only thing they pay for is AIR-FARE, medicall staff ect, and personal CHEF.

The VIP track club has notified the JAAA inregards to what day and time they will be at camp. So whats the big FUSS. If this report is really TRUE. Or maybe be just another Jamican GOSSIP by naysayers for attention and DRAMA. But in the same breadth spewing negativity on the team. While if this is, or was the same senerio in other COUNTRY’S CAMP its kept a secret or very LOW-KEY.

But is it not fair to say if ASAFA was left off the relay team for not been early in CAMP. So dont you think the rest of VIP athletes involing in respective relays should be also excluded.
And then you VIP-haters . Tell how would the respective relay teams compete or even have a squad to enter moreso finishing.

BE CAREFUL what some of you want and wish. Because in the END. the VIP club has nothing to lose. Jamaica sould be previlied for the athletes running for us and not the other way around. Their LIVELY-WOOD is running, and thats comes FIRST and foremost. To represent JAMAICA is a second choice. Just enjoy the OLYMPICS = win or lose
ERIC CHISHOLM KGN13 says:

July 24, 2012 at 4:16 pm

I agree..Asafa was 3rd at the Jamaica Trials and most Importantly…. the 3rd fatest human of all times..accounting for Wind Aid. So it would be dumb not to include him. Also he has been posting faster times than Nesta …with all due respect to(Nesta). We can surely break this record again easy and dont forget Asafa ran the Fatest leg of a 4x100m ever recorded in the 2008 olympics.I think Asafa,Frater,Bolt and Blake combination could shake up the world once again with…A NEW WORLD RECORD!!!Not because we did great mean we cant be greater!Not sure of the order they should run but our Two best 200m runners might be our best turn runners(blake ,bolt)regardless of the lane given. I trust Quarrie to figure that out, so we can make the best of our talents.Look what Ashmead just put on Spearmon Tail!lol
Danejahflexx says:

July 25, 2012 at 8:40 am

@Milo…I think you may have wanted to say MVP instead of VIP…initially I thought you were just making a point about the MVP club thinking that they are too important not to be at the camp…hence VIP… but reading on I realized it was a mistake. I agree with you through. The media is making more fuss of this that there is. No need for unnecessary drama at this time. We all just need to back our athletes and give them 110% support! GO TEAM JAMAICA!!!!!!
Milo says:

July 25, 2012 at 4:41 pm

@ Danejahflexx. Respect, and thanks for the correction. One love always. GO-JAMAICA-IRIE
hopeton says:

July 25, 2012 at 10:18 pm

This ‘news’ is a creation of a journalist. The JAAA has denied this. It is another example of why it was correct to bar journalists from the camp. They have no intention of helping Jamaica succeed, only to cause strife under the guise of ‘news’. Read the interview with Bolt by the Guardian newspaper. Was excellent and honest. Our ‘dibby dibby’ journalists seem incapable of lifting the bar away from ‘suss’.
harold brown says:

July 30, 2012 at 4:43 am

GET DA TING RIGHT,WE ARE GOOOING FOR GOOOLD.
Merrick says:

August 13, 2012 at 12:26 pm

With regards to Asafa being on the relay team, I think he should ensure that his groin is fully healed before he try and make the team. We must remember that this is a team event. If you look back at the 100M final where he pulled up, like Gonzales did in his relay, there would have been no medal. We would be blaming the JAAA for putting him in knowing of his injury. Although not fast as Powell, Carter and Frater should be commended for keeping us in the race. They should be encouraged for their performance in bringing home the gold. Asafa at this time should be able to continue to run in individual situation where it would not affect the team as a whole.
It is great to know that we have depth in our sprinters, like Blake that could step in and keep the team intact. We should continue to have this depth. Keep Champs going. Great work JAAA you made this Jamaican and I am sure many around the world proud.
Merrick says:

August 13, 2012 at 12:28 pm

I have a correction. Powell had already let it known that he would not be available.
Renn says:

August 19, 2012 at 4:58 pm

Just want to say I endorse everything that ( Milo) has to say. Once again these people are acting just like the government all for themselves, what about the athletes? what about the people.