Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer
STEPHEN FRANCIS, coach of joint world 100-metre record holder Asafa Powell, said his athlete is not scheduled to meet American Justin Gatlin in London on July 28.
"As we speak, there is no agreement," said Francis.
According to the coach, there is no agreement for a clash between Powell and Gatlin, the co-holders of the 100m record, at the Norwich Union London Grand Prix at Crystal Palace.
Powell and American Justin Gatlin, who have both run 9.77 this season, were scheduled to clash on June 11 in Gateshead, England, but the latter's manager, Renaldo Nehemiah, said his client's agreement did not include Powell in the race.
Crystal Palace was then announced as the possible place, but this time, Francis, said "he (Powell) will be running on July 28, but I can't say what event".
"I don't know of Asafa and Gatlin's schedule to run the 100m," stated Francis.
"If there is no agreement between now and then (July 28), Asafa could run the 100m or 200m, and so could Gatlin," Francis said on Monday.
SOLD OUT
Francis said Powell's agreement allowed him to run in any of the sprints at the meet, which reports claim is sold out far in advance.
Earlier this month, Fast Track, the organisers of the Norwich Union London Grand Prix, said the two top-class sprinters would clash for the first time this season in London.
However, Francis reiterated: "Unless there is an agreement between Trevor Graham (Gatlin's coach) and myself, and Paul Doyle (Powell's manager) and Gatlin's manager, Renaldo Nehemiah, I suspect there is no such thing (clash) to race on July 28.
However, Francis said he had not ruled out a late agreement.
Gatlin's coach, Graham, or manager, Nehemiah, could not be reached to comment. However, Nehemiah had earlier this month said the clash would "probably be prior to London, but I'm not ruling out that London could be the first confrontation."
