July 22, 2006	Saturday	Jumadi-ul-Sani 25, 1427

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KINGSTON, July 21: Stephen Francis, coach of sprint star Asafa Powell, on Thursday denied that “unprofessional conduct” was to blame for Powell and three other Jamaican runners missing a meeting in Greece.

Powell, the co-holder of the 100m world record, was to travel with his agent Paul Doyle, hurdler Brigitte Foster and sprinters Michael Frater and Sherone Simpson on Wednesday for Friday's 22nd Vardinoyiannia meeting at Rethymnon on Crete.

The meet organizers charged that Powell and his teammates were unprofessional and had been scratched from competition. They vowed to complain to the IAAF and the EAA (European Athletics Federation).

However, according to Francis, Powell, unlike Simpson, Foster and Frater, was not contracted to compete at the meet.

“Asafa was not down to compete at this meet, so he did not withdraw as stated in these reports,” Francis said.

“We had an agreement for Asafa to compete in the 100m, but then the meet representatives told us that the majority of the agreed fee would not be paid until sometime next year ... we then told the meet rep that we would not be competing on those terms, and that Asafa and the other athletes would withdraw.

“The meet promoter asked us (as a favor) to allow the other athletes to run and for us to still carry Asafa to the meet even though he would not be competing ... we agreed,” Francis said.

Meanwhile, Doyle said the problem with the flight arose when airline agents didn't want Powell to carry on his hand luggage, saying it was overweight.

Doyle said the party tried to retrieve their checked baggage in order to transfer the contents, but couldn't.

“We didn't feel comfortable in checking them (hand luggage) on,” Doyle said.—AFP