Leighton Levy, Gleaner Writer

Jamaica's Asafa Powell - File

Reports have surfaced which suggest that former world record holder, Asafa Powell, had a shoulder injury sustained in April while weightlifting surgically repaired last month.

Powell, whose 100-metre world record was broken by countryman Usain Bolt in New York on May 31, has not run since early this season - a 10.04 clocking in Melbourne, Australia on February 21. But his management has assured that he will be participating in the National Track and Field Athletics Championships (National Trials) later this month. The trials are to select Jamaica's team to the Olympics in Beijing this August.

Powell's agent Paul Doyle last month denied that Powell had undergone surgery. When asked he said Powell was in Florida resting, recuperating from the injury he received. Shortly before that Powell had been slated to participate at the Penn Relays in Philadelphia in the United States and was down to run in a 4x100-metre relay.

Contrary to the denials, however, two reports out of the United States - one in the USA Today newspaper and another story written by Tim Layden that appeared on the Sports Illustrated website - said Powell had undergone surgery.

Bears scar from surgery

Layden, in the Sports Illustrated piece, quotes Powell as saying: "They put me to sleep and fixed my tendons and ligaments."

Layden's story also states that Powell bears a scar from the surgery that extends from his armpit up into his chest area.

Repeated phone calls made yesterday to Doyle's offices in Marietta, Georgia, went unanswered.

Meanwhile, president of MVP track club, Bruce James, yesterday would not confirm or deny that Powell underwent surgery.

When asked why Doyle would deny that Powell had had his shoulder surgically repaired, he said he did not know, adding that even if it were so, it is now insignificant because Powell would be ready to run at the National Trials later this month.

President of the Jamaica Amateur Athletics Association (JAAA), Howard Aris, said yesterday that he was not aware that Powell had undergone surgery, adding that the only official information he gets on Powell is from his agent or his camp.

The World Championships bronze medallist is also down to perform in Trinidad, along with training partner Daryl Brown, on June 20.