Asafa Powell plays it safe ahead of the London Olympics

The Jamican sprinter not risking a fresh injury, while Dwain Chambers talks of regret over doping.

Jamaica's Asafa Powell competes in the men's 100m race during the IAAF Diamond League series in the Qatari capital Doha on May 14, 2010. Powell won the 100m in a time of 9.81sec. AFP PHOTO/KARIM JAAFAR
Powered by automated translation

Asafa Powell is not losing sleep over his fitness for the Olympic Games despite pulling out of this weekend's Diamond League meeting in London to rest his injured groin, the Jamaican sprinter has revealed.

"I need to ensure I'm ready for the Games and cannot take any risks. I will be ready in August," the former 100 metres world record holder said in a statement.

"I've been carrying some soreness in my groin since the Olympic trials and have been unable to train at 100 per cent."

Powell was scheduled to face American Tyson Gay in the 100 metres dash but pulled out as a precaution to save himself for the July 27-August 12 Games.

Two weeks ago, Powell had to be helped off the track after he finished third behind world champion Yohan Blake and world record holder Usain Bolt at the Jamaican Olympic trials.

Last summer, a similar groin injury kept him out of the world championships in South Korea.

His agent said the latest setback was not serious.

"We've just being treating his groin so it heals," agent Paul Doyle told reporters on Thursday.

"He feels fine now, but we've decided to take some more rest, then train, so he'll be ready for the Olympics."

The men's 100m competition begins on Saturday August 4 with the final the following day.

Meanwhile, convicted drugs cheat Dwain Chambers said he believes his presence at the Olympics this summer should serve as a warning to anyone thinking of doping.

The 34-year-old sprinter was cleared to compete at London 2012 earlier this year when the British Olympic Association's lifetime ban for drugs cheats was overturned.

"I hope my presence makes people think twice and not do it," he told The Times. "I hope they never contemplate it because it really doesn't help. "You may look at times and statistics but it doesn't help your life.

"It ruins your life and you will regret it for ever."

Chambers tested positive for THG in August 2003 and served a two-year ban. He feels doping did him and his career nothing but harm - a fate he hopes other athletes can avoid.

"I got worse on drugs," he said. "It did not help me in any capacity. It made me a very unsociable person and ruined my career and the image of the sport. "I hate to think I caused that. That is guilt."

Follow us