The Olympic Stadium is seen at the London 2012 Olympic Park in east London, Wednesday, July 11, 2012, as work continues to get the park ready for the summer games which begin July 27.(AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
LONDON - Jamaican sprinter Asafa Powell has withdrawn from the London Grand Prix to ensure he is fit for the London Olympics.
Powell was due to take on American rival Tyson Gay over 100 metres on Friday, but has a groin strain.
Powell says he has been "carrying some soreness in my groin since the Olympic trials and have been unable to train at 100 per cent."
In a statement from London GP organizers, he added: "I need to ensure I'm ready for the games and cannot take any risks. I will be ready in August."
The Olympics start on July 27.
But Powell also missed last year's London Diamond League meeting with a groin injury, which led to him missing the world championships in August.
