Asafa Powell

OSLO, Norway (CMC)

Jamaican 100 metres world record holder, Asafa Powell, will participate at the ExxonMobil Bislett Games in June, organisers have confirmed.

Powell's presence will set up a clash with hometown hero Jaysuma Saidy Ndure who will be looking to score his first win over the Jamaican.

"We are really happy to announce this early that Asafa Powell will be running at Bislett," said Steinar Hoen, an official from Oslo meeting organisation.

The 25-year old Powell, who is one of the heavy favourites to win gold at the Beijing Olympics in China during the summer, is expected to be a big drawing card at the June 6 meet, the second competition of this year's six-meet Golden League.

His 9.74 seconds in Rieti, Italy last September made him the world fastest man, and his speed will be matched with that of the emerging Norwegian sprinter Saidy who is an exciting prospect.

The 24-year-old Saidy will be before his home crowd and is expected to provide tough competition for Powell.

Saidy, the Gambia-born sprinter, won the 100 metres at the Golden League meet in Berlin last year in 10.14 seconds before clocking 10.06 seconds to set a new national record in Stuttgart, finishing runner-up to Powell.

Saidy has never beaten Powell in a head-to-head match-up.