Major Developments Major Developments by Calendar Year

Asafa Powell set a new 100 m world record in a low-key obscure meeting, in the absence of any major competition and may be counted as one of the least exciting world records ever. This had happened in the qualifying heats of a one day meet in Reiti, Italy. Powell now has three clockings of 9.77 seconds and this clocking of 9.74sec gives him the chance of being titled “ the fastest man on earth.” But Powell faces a major problem, that he never has a world or Olympic title to his credit gives his critics a chance to shout louder and louder. There is a missing piece in his ‘jigsaw puzzle’ and that is a gold medal. His critics include greats such as Carl Lewis and Michael Johnson. Powell’s main problem is that he seems to get tied up when a runner comes along side and his wall of confidence caves in.