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.