Powell suffered a minor groin injury in the Paris Diamond League meeting last month and has since suffered additional setbacks, according to a statement issued by Doyle Management Group.

While the groin injury healed over the ensuing days, a back and hamstring problem then developed.

The latest setback, described by Powell as "tightness and severe pain", prevented the Jamaican from training for 10 days after his Paris race.

Over the course of the last week the pain has dissipated and Powell has been progressing at a slow rate. He resumed normal training but has been unable to go at maximum effort.

"This morning, Asafa tested himself with starts from blocks and was just unable to push from the blocks without severe pain," the statement read.

"He has improved over the course of the past week but is still not at a level where he could attempt a race."

"I am absolutely devastated," Powell said.

"I was really looking forward to the race against Usain and Tyson.

"This year I have been running very well and I was hoping that I would be in the race with a solid chance to win, but with the way my back and legs have been feeling I know it would be difficult to even finish the race."

As scheduled, Powell will appear at a press conference in Stockholm tomorrow along with Bolt and Gay.

All three are scheduled to meet over 100m in the Brussels Diamond League meeting on August 27.

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