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Tuesday 27 June 2006
 

Stephen Francis, coach of Powell, said his athlete is not scheduled to meet Gatlin in London on July 28.

According to Francis, there has been no agreement for a clash between the two at the Norwich Union London Grand Prix in Crystal Palace as has been recently indicated.

"As we speak, there is no agreement," said Powell's coach Stephen Francis.

Powell and American Justin Gatlin who both ran 9.77 this season, were scheduled to clash on June 11 in Gateshead, 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 being scheduled 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.

Francis said Powell's agreement allows him to run in any of the sprints at the meet, which reports said is sold out far in advance.

Earlier this month, Fast Track, the organisers of the Norwich Union London Grand Prix, confirmed the two top class sprinters will 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 doesn't rule out a late agreement.

Gatlin's coach, Graham or manager, Nehemiah could not be reached for comment, but Nehemiah had earlier this month said the clash "will probably be prior to London."