Track legend Asafa Powell will find the crowd not enough to match his histrionics and the surface a whole lot varying after he takes part this weekend in the Stawell Gift, a century-old handicap race held in a small town in western Victoria state.
The racy Jamaican is considered to be the potential challenger to world record holder Usain Bolt, who hails from Jamaica as well. After a long time, it will be Powell who will get into the field with several hopes of his country that he carries for the perfect representation when he runs for glory.
Powell, who says he's fully recovered from the left hamstring injury which made him to pull out of the 100-meter race at last year's London Olympics won by his countryman Usain Bolt, will start from scratch.
Eager fans will be praying for his success. However, it all depends upon the fact that how he carries on the pressure to perform from one side and emerge as victorious from the other. Perhaps, there will be a great interest among people who will consider the return of Powell as one of the most prestigious events for sure.
Beginning from a mark one meter ahead of him will be Australia's best sprinter, Josh Ross, who has twice won the 131-year-old Stawell Gift and is one of only two runners to win it off scratch.
Definitely, there will be active competition between Powell and Ross for sure. This will be a visual treat for all those who are about witness an interesting race between two legends.
Other participants who are competing in this event will be lined up at various starting positions on the track according to their 100-meter qualifying times.
Powell stresses upon the fact the turf track at the country town's Central Park should create no problems because he trains on grass regularly at home in Jamaica. This should be an advantage for the seasoned sprinter who will see himself under huge pressure.
Hopefully, the talented Jamaican will come good against all odds and emerge as victorious for sure. The rest depends upon how the event takes place.
"I've been working very hard after London," the 30-year-old Powell said Wednesday. "I went into recovery and then started training in October.
This positive reaction from the legend shows that how committed he is when it is the matter of sports.
"I'm in good shape, if not the best yet because I'm still in background training and I haven't really started speed training. I'm strong right now and very excited to see what I can do on the track."
Powell, who has set the 100-meter world record more times than any other runner in the history, was encouraged to compete in Stawell by fellow Jamaican Michael Frater, who was ousted in the Australian race's semifinals last year.
Heats for the race will be organized on Saturday with the semifinals and final on Monday.
Stawell is a former gold rush town situated almost 235 kilometers (145 miles) west of Melbourne. Its biggest single tourist attraction each year is the Gift.
