MONACO, Italy (CMC) - Jamaica's track and field man-of-the-moment Asafa Powell has shot up to the number one spot in the 100-metre rankings of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).
Powell was in sixth position in last week's rankings, but after his outstanding win - over reigning Olympic champion Maurice Greene - in 9.91 seconds at the London Grand Prix last Friday, the 22 year-old shot past some of the world's top sprinters to take pole position ahead of the Athens Olympics.After her national record performance in Linz on Monday, a second in as many weeks, Jamaican Trecia Smith has moved two places up to eighth in the women's triple jump rankings and along with Powell have signaled their intentions as podium contenders for the Athens Olympics.
Powell, clearly a strong gold medal candidate for the August 13-29 Olympics, is unbeaten over 100 metres so far this year and has had three sub-10 clockings - 9.91 twice, and 9.99 seconds.
Smith raised her national record to 15.16 metres at the Linz Grand Prix on Monday night, just two weeks after she had lifted the mark to 14.90 metres at the Thessaloniki meet in Greece.
In the men's triple jump rankings, Bahamian Leevan Sands' two recent performances in Stockholm (16.91 metres) and London (17.41) have earned him a fourth-place ranking.
Sweden's World Champion Christian Olsson is still the leader in the triple jump ahead of Brazil's Jadel Gregorio, the world leader at 17.74 metres.
Jamaican Aleen Bailey, on the strength of some good outings on the European circuit, has moved up one place to seventh in the 100-metre rankings.
Bahamian Chandra Sturrup is third behind the USA's Chryste Gaines (1) and World champion Torri Edwards (2).
Grenada's Alleyne Francique still holds the number two spot in the men's 400 metres behind American Jerome Young, while Jamaica's Michael Blackwood is third.
In the women's 400 metres, the impressive Bahamian
Tonique Williams keeps her number two spot behind Mexican world champion Ana Guevara, as the two get ready to clash at Friday's Golden League meeting in Zurich. The injured Lorraine Fenton is still third.
The women's sprint hurdles list has no changes for regional competitors with Jamaica's Brigette Foster remaining in third position behind world champion Perdita Felicien of Canada and veteran Gail Devers of the USA.
