Asafa Powell, the world's fastest man, is heading for an exciting match-up with Olympic 100 metres champion Justin Gatlin in London next month. Powell, who broke the world 100m record last week, is bidding to repeat his success at last year's Norwich Union London Grand Prix and event organisers have revealed they hope Gatlin is set to join him.
The current form of both superstars and the fact the recently relaid Crystal Palace track is extremely quick suggest Powell's record of 9.77 seconds could be threatened on July 22.
Director Ian Stewart said: “The Norwich Union London Grand Prix has a reputation of delivering must-see races and I am confident that the men's 100m will feature most of the leading stars. It will be the best sprint race in the world so far this year.”
World champion Kim Collins, Olympic bronze medallist Maurice Greene and top Britons Mark Lewis-Francis and Jason Gardener are already confirmed starters. Talks are continuing with several other star names including Olympic champion Gatlin. But it is Powell who will be the big attraction and the Jamaican believes he can lower the mark even further.
Powell said: “I know I have the ability to lower the 100 metres world record even further. Last year at the Norwich Union London Grand Prix I ran 9.91secs and if the conditions are right, I can clearly go faster.”
