Powell not fit to run 100m in world championships

World record holder Asafa Powell will not compete in the 100 metres at this month's world championships in Helsinki, his agent said yesterday.

The Jamaican suffered a groin injury at the London Grand Prix at Crystal Palace on July 22 and has been unable to do any track work since.

Agent Paul Doyle said Powell, who reduced the world mark to 9.77 seconds in June, could still run in the 100 metres relay if his injury "improved by 100 per cent".

The world championships start on Saturday with the relay heats getting underway on August 12.

"He's been resting but has started some movements in the pool and could start some track work by the middle of next week," Doyle told Reuters.

"It was an easy call (to miss the individual 100). He is in too much pain."

The 22-year-old Powell has yet to win a medal at a global championships.

He was disqualified in the quarter-finals of the 2003 Paris world championships and finished fifth in last year's Olympics final.

"He's obviously upset but he has a long career ahead of him and this is just a speedbump," added Doyle.

"We are taking it one day at a time. There is no timeline for his return."