In a piece titled, “Asafa Powell Returns to the Crime Scene”, I wrote about Asafa Powell’s 2004 Olympic meltdown and how the 2008 version could be the perfect redemption. Well, after NBC brought me much frustration by not carrying the event until late last night (almost 12 hours after the actual race), I now know Asafa can never win the “big one”.

In the 100m final in Athens (2004), after entering the race as favorite, Justin Gatlin, now banished from track and field for ‘touching the stuff’ was the nemesis…fast forward to 2008, the difference …a boastful youngster by the name of Usain Bolt

and same result.

For Asafa and expectant Jamaicans, it’s not that Asafa is losing these races; but more the dismal 5^th position he has placed in both races…losing to other competitors he would beat on any other given day.

My verdict: Asafa Powell is done! He is now 25 with the next Olympics four years away. Sure, the world championships are in a couple of years; but with the red hot 21 year old Usain Bolt who reminds me so much of the fabled hare (only that this hare is winning), a Tyson Gay who will want blood when he recovers fully, and God knows whichever new kid may just stumble onto the scene, I say expect more of the same disappointing performances from him.

In the end, Asafa will be remembered as one of the greatest letdowns in history. If at 6’ 2” he is considered by many to be the most gifted sprinter of all times; but clearly lacking a good sports psychologist, a tried and proven pre-race system…a system where he is not fidgeting and looking so tense before the start of each race and continued failure to perform on the big day, he will go down in track and field history (and quite possibly all of sports) as one of the biggest “lemons” we have seen!