Tuesday, January 30, 2007

by Gary Smith
Caribbean Net News Sports Correspondent
Email: gary@caribbeannetnews.com

OKLAHOMA, USA: He has not raced competitively in 10 months, but American sprint legend Maurice Greene said before the year comes to an end he expects to break the men's 100m world record of 9.77 seconds, set by Jamaican Asafa Powell.

Greene, who previously held the world record with a 9.79-second clocking in Athens, Greece, back in 1999, also said he is confident at winning the 100m at Osaka's World Championships in August, despite the form of Powell, who will more than likely start favourite.

"I know this year is going to be one of the best years I've had," Greene said. "I'll show them what I am talking about.”

"The most important thing is the world championships this year, and I expect to win that," he added.

Greene, a three-time world champion in the 100m will seek his fourth, while Powell will be vying for his first.

After dominating last season on his way to having the "greatest ever sub-10 seconds season," Powell promised to deliver something special in Osaka 2007, this after he was disqualified in his 2006 season finale in Yokohama.

"Next year (2007) I have a second chance to run in Japan so I will make sure I'm in very good shape and will run fast," Powell, recalled after what he thought was a disappointing end to his season.

The 23-year-old sprinter's fruitful year consisted of 12 legal sub-10 second achievements, two of which were world record equalling performances.

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