Powell was part of Jamaica’s “dream team” for years.
Asafa Powell was part of Jamaica’s Olympic gold-winning relay team. EPA / AOP
Sprint Olympic champion and world champion Asaph Powell end his career.
The 40-year-old Jamaican shared his decision on social media.
– Chapter 40 and the ending. A new phase in life, Powell begins his message on Twitter.
Powell was part of Jamaica’s sprint “dream team”. He celebrated the Olympic victory in the 4×100 meter relay both in 2008 in Beijing and in 2016 in Rio. The world championship from the same trip came in 2009 in Berlin and 2015 in Beijing.
In 2005, Powell ran the 100, a new world record of 9.77 at the time. Two years later, he improved his ME time to 9.74.
2008 Powell ran his own record of 9.72, but the ME had already moved at this point compatriot Usain Bolt’s in possession. Powell’s result is still the fourth highest performance of all time.
Although Powell consistently ran wild times, he was overshadowed by the brilliant Bolt for years. Powell never managed to win an individual Olympic medal, and even at the World Cup level, “only” two bronzes entered the trophy case.
Powell’s handsome career is overshadowed by his positive doping test result in 2013. The Jamaican sprinter was finally banned for six months after the appeal hearing.