Home  Sports Powell, not ready for the big stage
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Powell, not ready for the big stage |
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Saturday, 23 August 2008 |
 BEIJING, China– Four years after fading to fifth place in yet another Olympic Games 100 meters, Jamaica's former World record holder Asafa Powell admits he just was not ready for the big stage.
After failing in the last couple of years to land a major global title on the big stages, Powell promised that this year would be the year of delivery.
But after looking well set to win a medal in men's 100 meters at the Beijing Olympics, the Jamaican choked once again and was left disappointed on Saturday.
"I wasn't ready for the big stage yet," a disappointing Powell told reporters after failing to make his mark in Beijing. "I'm not sure what happened. I messed up big time, my legs died on me."
An Olympics 100m showdown that was billed as "three the hard way" between Powell, American Tyson Gay, and record holder Usain Bolt finished with the latter running unchallenged all the way to the line in a superlative 9.69 seconds World record performance.
Despite finishing out of medal contention, Powell took the time to extend his congratulations to a teammate, and a man he described as his very good friend.
"I really wanted to get that gold medal," Powell said, "but I'm happy for Usain."
Bolt, just 21, became the youngest Olympic 100m champion since American Bob Hayes in 1964. He also moved a step closer to join the small group of elite athletes who have completed the Olympic Games sprint double.
Notable, Bolt's 0.20 seconds victory margin over Trinidad & Tobago’s Richard Thompson was the largest in an Olympics final since Carl Lewis ran 9.99 to beat Sam Graddy (10.19) in Los Angeles 24 years ago.
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