In a swift response to yesterday’s news
that the world’s fastest man across 100 metres is only a 50/50 chance of
competing in Melbourne, organisers have released news that Asafa Powell is a
guaranteed starter.

Did you hear the collective sigh of relief
from the fans? Or was that the organisers?

The news gets better for track and field
fans. Not only will Powell be here, but he will be competing on “Magic Monday”
– yep, that’s the day that follows “Super Sunday” – alongside Maria Muttola,
800 metre gold medallist from Sydney.

We assume that means all is well in
Commonwealth Games HQ again. Just how many of the remaining 300,000 or so track
and field tickets will be snapped up as a result of that timely announcement
remains to be seen.