Asafa Powell and Usain Bolt in Zurich 2009 (© Getty Images)
Asafa Powell, the former 100m World record holder, has joined the 100m field for the Compeed Golden Gala, the third stop of the 2012 Samsung Diamond League series, where he will face compatriot and current 100m standard bearer Usain Bolt.
Powell is no stranger to the eternal city, where he lived and trained in the early years of his career. Nor is he a stranger on the Stadio Olimpico where one year ago he nearly upset Bolt in the 100m, coming just 0.02 seconds shy, 9.91 to 9.93. The match boosted an unforgettable 2011 edition of the Compeed Golden Gala, one cheered by 47,732 spectators.
This year Powell will try again during one of the first top-class 100m sprint matches of the Olympic season, and just a little more than two months prior to the London final, set for 5 August at 21:50 local time.
Powell has been competing this indoor season and has put up some impressive numbers. Last Saturday (18) he clocked 6.50 at the AVIVA Grand Prix in Birmingham, a persona best over 60m. It was the third best result in 2012; only compatriots Lerone Clarke (6.47) and Nesta Carter (6.49) have run faster this season.
Organisers for the IAAF
Samsung Diamond League - 2012 Calendar
Doha, QAT - 11 May
Shanghai, CHN - 19 May
Rome, ITA - 31 May
Eugene, USA - 2 June
Oslo, NOR - 7 June
New York, USA - 9 June
Paris, FRA - 6 July
London, GBR - 13 / 14 July
Monaco, MON - 20 July
Stockholm, SWE - 17 August
Lausanne, SUI - 23 August
Birmingham, GBR - 26 August
Zurich, SUI - 30 August
Brussels, BEL - 7 September
