Asafa Powell has been ruled out of the 100 meters at the athletics world championships because of a groin injury,eliminating defending champion Usain Bolts biggest rival from the marquee event. Powells manager Paul Doyle said on Thursday that the injury sustained several weeks ago was still giving the fastest man of the season too much trouble. He added that the Jamaican could be fit by the time of the 4x100 relay during the final weekend of the championships. The groin strain is still lingering, Doyle said. He is not quite 100 percent. The 100-meter heats open on Saturday and the race is traditionally the highlight of the championships. It is also the opening race in Bolts quest for three sprint gold medals. American rival Tyson Gay was injured in June and two other top performers are not in Daegu because of doping scandals,leaving Bolt with few credible challengers. Powell had been running fast all through the season until he pulled out of the Crystal Palace Diamond League meet on August 5 as a precautionary measure to protect his groin. Doyle said it would take up to four more days to have a full recovery and did not rule him out for the September 4 relay final. With Bolt,Jamaica is favored to win that race and defend their title. He is one of our top athletes, Jamaican federation president Howard Aris said. His not being able to compete (in the relay) would be a big,big disappointment for us. Powell has been Jamaicas anchor in the relays,taking the baton from Bolt on the final bend to take it home for gold in Beijing and in Berlin at the 2009 worlds. In the 100,Powell is a former world-record holder and won bronze at the last two world championships. Because of the injuries and no-shows because of doping issues,the top performer in Daegu is Richard Thompson of Trinidad and Tobago with a time of 9.85. Bolts best time this season is 9.86. Semenya to defend titleParis: Caster Semenya sprinted to the womens world 800m crown two years ago and quickly found herself entangled in a maelstrom of seedy allegations over her true gender. But the South African returns to action at the World Athletics Championships in Daegu cleared to run by the sports world governing body,the IAAF,and largely accepted by her peers. The 20-year-old Semenya,who clocked a jaw-dropping personal best of 1:55.45 in 2009 Berlin worlds,will face a tough outing at Daegu,up against former world champion and Olympic silver medallist Janeth Jepkosgei of Kenya,world indoor and European outdoor champion Mariya Savinova of Russia and Britains Jenny Meadows,who won world championship bronze behind Semenya and Jepkosgei in 2009. I have a chance to defend my title but somebody else will want to win. Everybody in the final can get first place. Ill be happy if I get back on the podium,it doesnt matter if its silver or bronze.
