The world's (formerly) fastest man

You've heard about Tyson Gay's run into the record book with the wind at his back. Reuters now reports that Jamaican sprinter Asafa Powell, the world's fastest man until Bolt and Gay blew past, hopes to catch a tailwind from Gay's run.

"I think it is always better not to have all that pressure on your back," Powell told a news conference earlier today in Rome. "This year for the first time all eyes will be on Bolt and Gay. Definitely after the disappointments of recent years when I was favorite, I prefer this sort of situation."

The 100 is shaping up as a crowd pleaser in Beijing. Powell ran a 9.74 last September, Bolt followed in May with a 9.72 and Gay registered his wind-aided 9.68 during the recent U.S. Olympic track and field trials in Eugene.

"I am not thinking about Bolt or Gay," Powell said during the press conference. "If I run like I know I can, I shouldn't fear anyone."

We'll have to wait until Beijing to find out. Though Powell is slated to run tomorrow in Rome's Golden Gala meet, the world's current fastest men are sitting this one out.

-- Greg Johnson

Photo: Usain Bolt, left, edging out Michael Frater, center, and Asafa Powell, in the 100 meter during the Jamaican National Track and Field Championships and Olympics qualifier on June 28. Credit: Gregory Bull/Associated Press