WITH THE 2008 Olympic Games less than 100 days away, should the world's fastest man, Asafa Powell, after failing to realise his full potential at the 2004 Games and last year's IAAF World Athletics Championships, have considered a coaching change?

The answer to this question from the many fans of the local track star will be, I suspect, a resounding no. However, will it still be the same in the next few months if, at the world's premier sporting event, Powell failed to 'trip' Tyson Gay, which, according to current 200- and 400-metre world record-holder Michael Johnson, is the only way that the Jamaican will capture an Olympic gold.

While it may be sacrilegious for some to suggest that Powell break ties with local track club MVP and head coach Stephen Francis, it certainly is an issue that could arise in the near future.

Nothing to scoff at

Now, don't get me wrong, Powell's achievements under Francis over the past couple of years have been nothing to scoff at. The sprinter first astonished the world with a 100m record of 9.77, which he equalled on two occasions before smashing that to pieces towards the end of last year with 9.74.

The Jamaican has run 33 sub-10 second 100m races during his career and broke Maurice Greene's record for the most sub-10 clockings in a season in 2006.

The fact of the matter is, however, that Powell has simply failed to deliver on the big occasion and a part of that has to be chalked up to preparation. Maybe, in relation to bagging the big titles, which separate the very good athletes from the great ones, Francis might have taken Powell as far as he can go.

Powell

Decision to be weighed

While it may be a difficult decision to think about parting ways with a man who not only stuck with Powell and believed in his ability, it is one which might have to be weighed soon.

When teams don't perform the blame is immediately assigned to the coach. In individual sports like track and field, and tennis, things are a little different as individuals generally take the blame for their own shortcomings.

However, it is not at all rare for athletes to change camps. United States sprint star Greene parted ways with long-time coach Al Hobson, before moving to John Smith while, in recent times, Jeremy Wariner, Wallace Spearmon and Kerron Clement have also changed coaches.

The fact of the matter is that Powell has to win the 'big one' to answer all the questions and silence his critics, especially Johnson.

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