Asafa Powell draws extra motivation from injury

Asafa Powell, the injured Jamaican sprinter who has pulled out of men's 100 meters at the World Championships in Athletics, said Saturday his latest setback will only give him an extra push for the London Olympics next year. Speaking to reporters for the first time since he withdrew from 100? last Thursday with groin injury, Powell said he is trying to overcome the disappointment of missing the top competition at the championships. "Definitely, I am motivated to come back and just prove to the world that I can definitely run fast under pressure, and prove to the world that I am here to stay," he said. Powell holds the fastest 100? time this year at 9.78 seconds, 0.1 seconds ahead of fellow countryman and world record holder Usain Bolt. When asked if he would've beaten Bolt, Powell said his plan was to come to Daegu "and beat the entire field." "I definitely had a great chance of winning," Powell added. "I am very frustrated. Over the years, I've been injured and I kept going and kept going. This won't stop me, and I will just work my way back for next year (in London)." Powell said he decided to pull out to make sure he will be ready for the London Games. And at 28, the clock might be ticking for him to try to win that elusive Olympic gold. Over his career, he has run 100? under 10 seconds 80 times, more than anyone in history, and set the world record twice. But an individual gold at Olympics and world championships has eluded him, and skeptics have wondered if Powell would ever win the big one. Powell said he feels fate has a lot to do with his misfortunes on big stages. "It's just life and I have to live with it and hope for the best one to come," he said. "It's all up to God." Powell said with or without the big titles, his legacy in athletics is secure. "Definitely, I will be disappointed if I finish my career without a gold or a world title," he said. "But I will retire as one of the best sprinters that has ever touched the track. That's still something to be happy about." Along with Powell, U.S. runner Tyson Gay, who had the second-best time this year at 9.79, is also injured. And many expect the marquee sprint event will be Bolt's to lose. Powell, though, said it will be "quite an open field" with many runners, such as Jamaicans Michale Frater, Yohan Blake and Nesta Carter, having put up similar times leading up to the championships. He also predicted it won't be an easy race for Bolt, who has been battling aftereffects of Achilles' tendon and back injuries from last year. "Based on shape that he's in this year, it's not going to be an easy race," Powell said. "He's the more experienced one and he's used to winning, He might have the best chance, but it's quite an open field."