ATHLETICS fans and intrigued onlookers could still see the great man at Central Park yesterday.
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Some even got to meet him, grab an autograph or photo.
But Asafa did not run.
In the case of the most talked-about hamstring this Easter, the Jamaican superstar was forced to pull out of the Stawell Gift semi-finals.
His decision was announced about 8am after asking the Stawell Athletic Club on Sunday night for more time.
He wanted to make the most of a slim chance to compete for the legions of fans that turned out to watch him.
The former 100m world record holder faced media mid-morning to confirm his much-hyped Stawell campaign was over.
“I’m very disappointed not to be able to run today, but that’s how it goes,” the quietly spoken Powell said.
“I know my injuries and it’s not something that’s going to keep me off the track forever.”
He oozed cool but his disappointment was evident. He wanted to be part of the action.
The 30-year-old was almost scratched from his heat on Saturday after suffering tightness in his warm-up.
He finished third in his heat off scratch, but still ran quick enough to qualify for the semi-finals as one of the fastest 20 losers.
Powell said his physiotherapist worked hard on Saturday to try and get rid of
the pain.
He quashed suggestions it was not helped by the cool weather at Central Park.
Rather, Powell believes it might be a niggle from a lot of hard training work he has been doing back home in Jamaica.
The 30-year-old will have an MRI to ascertain the extent of the injury when he returns to Melbourne.
Powell was kept busy with interviews, meeting young fans and generally chillin’ about Central Park yesterday.
But he will be back.
“Definitely,” Powell said. “It’s fun.”
melanie.whelan@fairfaxmedia.com.au