Injury rules Powell out of Doha meeting

Asafa Powell has joined fellow Jamaican Olympic 4x100metres relay medallist Usain Bolt on the injured list and will miss Friday’s IAAF Super Grand Prix in Doha.

The former world 100m record holder sprained his ankle competing at last weekend’s Penn Relays in Philadelphia and will be out of action for the next two weeks.

Powell, after pulling out of the premier middle east event for a second successive year, said: “I am really sorry to have to disappoint again this year, but at the same time, I know it is the only decision I can make.

“I am not injured badly and I know I will be fully recovered shortly.”

Powell is now expected to compete at the Reebok Grand Prix in New York on on May 30.

Powell’s setback comes just days after Bolt was injured in a car accident and was forced to withdraw from today’s Jamaica International meeting in Kingston.

Bolt, who succeeded his fellow countryman as world record holder, is now resting and his next race is scheduled to be a 150m road sprint at the Bupa Manchester Games on May 17.