Coach of former world 100 metres record holder Asafa Powell, Stephen Francis, courted controversy yesterday when in a letter read at a press briefing held at the University of Technology (UTech), he said the "real reason" for Asafa Powell's non-participation at last weekend's UTech Invitational Classic "will never be revealed by either Powell or myself".

The letter was read by athletes' liaison for the meet, Stephen's brother, Paul Francis. Stephen is off the island.

Withdrawing Powell

In his letter, Stephen Francis said last December he told Paul Francis that Powell, the Olympic sprint relay gold medallist, would run the 200m as well as the sprint relay at the meet.

The letter continued: "Because of other developments since that time, which will remain private, I contacted Mr Francis (Paul) on Saturday, April 18, 2009, to inform him that I was withdrawing Mr Powell from the meet.

"The decision for Mr Powell not to run was made by me, in my capacity as his coach. The basis of the decision has not been revealed to Paul Francis, or any other member of the UTech Classic Committee, including Mr Bruce James, the MVP president."

Stephen Francis also said the UTech Classic committee were not informed prior to Saturday morning that Powell would not run.

Yesterday's press briefing was called to clear the air after several MVP athletes billed for last Saturday's meet, including Powell, did not compete.

James confirmed that Powell, who attended the meet, was always down to compete until his late withdrawal and he then revealed what he called an "MVP secret".

"... MVP had planned to put on the track their 'big team' - Darrel Brown, Nesta Carter, Michael Frater and Powell - and clock the first sub-38 seconds 4x100 metres on Jamaican soil.

"... We wanted to get the fastest time in the world this year. That title currently rests with another Jamaican team, Racers Track Club.

"... The management team was devastated and disappointed that Asafa was not able to run. Brown was also listed to run in the 100m but was also withdrawn at very late notice," said James.

Brown was one of three MVP athletes who had had post-Beijing surgery and he had not fully recovered. The two other athletes who have had surgeries after the Games were 100m silver medallist Sherone Simpson and high jump silver medal winner Germaine Mason, who competes in the colours of Great Britain.

Olympic 400m silver medallist, Shericka Williams, who was also billed to compete on Saturday, was mourning the death of her grandmother and was out of town on the day of the meet.

Director for the advancement department and member of the organising committee, Hector Wheeler, indicated that they have had a 'flurry of calls from the media' and the briefing, also attended by UTech's director of sports, Anthony Davis, was arranged to answer some of these questions.

James said he was very sorry for what had happened but "... we will always have to act in the very best interest of the athletes.

15 Olympians

"During the past three Olympics, the MVP track and field club has been able to produce 15 Olympians representing a number of countries. Of the 15 Olympians ... nine of them participated at the meet last weekend," James said.

The MVP president added that their athletes have always been willing to compete locally and will continue to do so. He said the club had pulled out of the Mt Sac Relays, held the same day, because of their strong commitment to the annual UTech meet.

Two athletes, 400m hurdles gold medallist Melaine Walker and 100m gold medallist Shelly-Ann Fraser, also competed although they were not well. Walker had a bout of influenza while Fraser, Paul Francis said, was also uncertain 'because of a situation she was in quite recently' and it took a Herculean effort to get her to compete.