Distraught Powell rues opportunity lost at Worlds

The Jamaican former world record holder, who had cited a groin injury for his pull-out, said he was feeling frustrated after training hard for this event. “I am feeling very down at the moment. I have trained 11 months for this meet, and not being able to compete… it’s very disturbing,” said Powell, who was keen to silence his critics who doubted his championship calibre.

“The plan was to come here and beat the field and I had a great chance of winning,” he said. “I have run with pain before but I don’t want to jeopardise my chances for the Olympics. I plan to keep going and I want to be back next year for the Games. I had wanted to prove to the world that I can run fast under pressure. Every time a big event comes, there is something like this. That is life, I have to live with it,” he said.

Powell said it was difficult to come to terms with the fact that he doesn’t have a global title yet. “If I finish without a global title, I will still retire as one of the best sprinters to touch the track,” said the 29-year-old, who was hopeful of running the 4x100 relay, scheduled on the final day. “There is still time for that; hopefully, I will recover enough to run.

“I am also not sure about the rest of the season,” said Powell and refused to install Usain Bolt as the favourite in the 100M. “It is an open race. It won’t be easy for Usain, given the shape he is in. But he is experienced. Still it is an open field and there are runners like Yohan (Blake) and Nesta Carter. Hopefully, a Jamaican will win,” he said.