Powell happy not to be favorite

Source: Agencies  |   2008-7-11  |     NEWSPAPER EDITION

JAMAICAN sprinter Asafa Powell said yesterday he was pleased he was no longer the favorite for the 100 meters at the Beijing Olympics.

Powell, who runs in today's Golden Gala in Rome as part of his preparations for next month's Games, first watched compatriot Usain Bolt steal his world record in May when he ran 9.72 seconds.

World champion Tyson Gay then managed 9.68 at the American Olympic trials last month, the fastest 100 of all time, but was deprived of the record because of excessive wind assistance.

"I think it is always better not to have all that pressure on your back," Powell told a news conference.

"This year for the first time all eyes will be on Bolt and Gay.

"Definitely after the disappointments of recent years when I was favorite, I prefer this sort of situation."

Powell took bronze behind winner Gay at last year's world championships in Osaka but remains confident for Beijing.

"I am not thinking about Bolt or Gay. If I run like I know I can, I shouldn't fear anyone," added Powell, who will not have either rival for company today.

The Golden Gala will provide some mouth-watering head-to-head battles, however, especially in the women's high jump.

Croatia's world champion Blanka Vlasic comes up against home hope Antonietta Di Martino, joint second in Osaka last year.