KINGSTON, Jamaica — Asafa Powell, the Jamaican athlete who pulled up with an acute groin injury in the final of the men's 100m on Sunday, has added his voice to the swirling debate about taking to the track despite carrying an injury.

The debate took on added steam after 400m runner Jermaine Gonzales pulled up on the third leg in the mile relay heats this morning. Powell himself has been carrying a groin injury for about five years.

Gonzales had told reporters that he was not in good shape and did not want to compete in the relay to avoid blighting the chances of his teammates, he was however selected to run by the team managers and failed miserably.

"I competed in the men's 100m finals because it was an individual event, and an opportunity to represent my country and my fans," a message on the athlete Facebook page said.

"The 4x100m relay is a joint and collective cohesive effort. I will not 'selfishly' stand in the way of Team Jamaica going out on the track & field with four able healthy bodies and cease a gold medal victory for our country," the message from the athlete said.

The Facebook post from Asafa said he would continue to cheer the team on "because united we stand and divided we fall."

"I invite all my fans to join me and together we will witness something great and spectacular. One Love! AP," the post said.