100-meter injury list grows as Powell hurts groin

Tyson Gay isn’t the only world-class sprinter with health issues.

Gay, from Lexington, won the 100 meters at the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials (June 27-July 6), but made it through only one round of the 200 before straining his left hamstring and tumbling to the track.

At Friday’s Golden Gala meet in Rome, former 100-meter world-record holder Asafa Powell of Jamaica withdrew from the finals due to a groin injury.

According to an Associated Press recap, Powell ran well in his qualifying heat until pulling up near the finish to drop back to fifth place in 10.19 seconds.

The sprinter’s manager, Paul Doyle, said Powell would not “take any chances, it’s an Olympic year.”

Jamaica’s Usain Bolt beat Gay en route to knocking two-hundredths of a second off Powell’s world record, down to 9.72, at New York on May 31.

In Friday’s finals, Francis Obikwelu of Portugal and runner-up Derrick Atkins of the Bahamas both finished in 10.04. Jamaica’s Nesta Carter took third in 10.05.

Highlights from Rome included Jeremy Wariner, the reining Olympic gold medalist and two-time World champion, outleaning 2007 World Outdoor silver medalist and 2008 Olympic Trials champion LaShawn Merritt in the 400, 44.36 to 44.37.

Reigning World champion Kerron Clemont won the men’s 400m hurdles in 48.23, edging Trials champion and 2005 World gold-medalist Bershawn Jackson (48.34).

U.S. Trials champions Allyson Felix and Sanya Richards swapped events. Felix, the Trials 200-meter champion, stepped up to win the 400 in 50.25. Richards, the Trials 400-meter winner, dropped down to the 200 and placed second in 22.49. Jamaica’s Kerron Stewart, a former Auburn standout, won in 22.34.

Blanka Vasic of Croatia cleared 6-6 3/4 to win the women’s high jump. Amy Acuff, U.S. Trials runner-up, was ninth at 6-2 3/4.