8/12/08
By Tim Layden

More on Powell

Powell propelled by personal tragedy as he prepares for greatest showdown on earth

BEIJING -- Here was a metaphor screaming to be expressed. Asafa Powell, sweating.

Late Tuesday afternoon in Beijing, the Jamaican track star sat on stage at the Olympic headquarters of his apparel partner, Nike, and conducted a question and answer session with reporters and broadcasters. With bright lights trained on his shaved head, Powell busted out the perspiration about five minutes into his session. Nike PR director Dean Stoyer handed him a wad of paper towels so Powell could blot the streams rolling down his cheeks.