Usain not 'worried'
Published: Friday | August 14, 2009
Usain Bolt says the Jamaican relay squad will not be affected by the fight over training camp attendance which almost saw anchor runner Asafa Powell cut from the squad.
"I am not worried. We are looking good in practice," Bolt said yesterday.
Jamaica reinstated former world record holder Powell late Wednesday under intense pressure from the IAAF, athletics' ruling body, which said the attendance of the strongest possible team superseded the need to impose sanctions now.
Powell and five other athletes had not attended a mandatory training camp and the federation wanted to kick them out of the World Championships which start tomorrow.
However, Jamaica Amateur Athletic Association (JAAA) president, Howard Aris, wasn't as quick to dismiss the notion that the team could be affected.
"It would be dishonest to pretend that damage has not been done," Aris said, but added that he hoped the dispute and its resolution "could be used to heighten the motivation".
Last year, Jamaica set a world record as it won the Olympic gold medal. It was the third world record and third title for Bolt.