(Paris) Very close to having run the 100m a hundred times in less than ten seconds, the former Jamaican world record holder Asafa Powell formalized his retirement on Sunday at the age of 40, that of a sprinter on the charts not to be missed. the height of his times.
Powell, who had been away from the international level for several years, had extended his career in search of the 100, he who will have run the record number of 97 hundred meters in less than ten seconds, the mark of the great sprinters.
In May 2021, “Afasta” had again run the straight line in 10 sec 07 in Clermont (Florida), but with too favorable a wind (+ 4.5 m/s). His last official race.
“I started my career in 2002, I had a lot of ups and downs but I’ve always been proud of what I’ve accomplished. I open a new page in my life, ”wrote the Jamaican on his social networks, four days after celebrating his 40th birthday.
“I’m turning a new page in my life, with a lot more to come. I will continue to inspire younger generations as much as possible. Everyone can achieve their dreams. »
“My favorite,” commented five-time Jamaican Olympic champion Elaine Thompson-Herah.
Cursed in the league
A major sprinter from the pre-Usain Bolt era, Powell became the world record holder in the 100m in June 2005 with a run in 9 sec 77 in Athens. He had run twice more in the same time before achieving 9 sec 74 in September 2007 in Rieti (Italy).
Powell was then eclipsed by his compatriot Usain Bolt, who gradually took the record to 9 sec 72, 9 sec 69 then 9 sec 58 in Berlin in 2009.
Unlike the charismatic Bolt, the shy Powell has failed to build a record to match his talent and has regularly collapsed during the major championships where he has long been a favorite.
For example, he was disqualified in the quarter-finals at the 2003 Worlds for a false start in the same race as John “I did not move” Drummond. In 2004, Powell finished 5e of an Olympic final of which he was the favorite in Athens, before taking the same place in 2008 at the Beijing Games and then finishing last and injured in the 2012 final in London.
Individually, the Jamaican won two outdoor world bronze medals in the 100m (2007 and 2009), but none at the Olympics. He won the 4x100m relay gold in 2016 in Rio, in his last appearance in a major championship.
The youngest of six siblings, this son of a pastor from football was forged by the legendary Jamaican coach Stephen Francis.
In 2014, he was suspended for 18 months for doping with the stimulant oxilofrine. And like Bolt, he was stripped of the 2008 Olympic gold medal in the 4x100m relay because of the doping suspension of teammate Nesta Carter.