( L - R ) Yendi Phillipps, Asafa Powell - File Photos

Yendi Phillipps, Former Miss Jamaica World, yesterday played down rumours that she and sprint star Asafa Powell are involved and are more than just friends.

The beauty queen, who represented Jamaica at the 2007 Miss World competition in Sanya, China, described their relationship as "long-time friends".

"No man, me and Asafa are friends from long time. He was a part of and contributed to my fund-raising programme," Phillipps told The STAR yesterday.

Fascinated by people

"But I think people are just fascinated by people who are held highly in society and you can't knock people for wanting to know," she said.

Powell, a former 100m world record holder, participated in Fashion Xplosion: A Celebrity Charity Fashion Show, in October 2007, which was organised by Phillipps. Rumours have been circulating recently of a possible romance.

Efforts to contact Powell yesterday were futile, as, at the time, his mother, Cislyn Powell, said he was at training.

Closed-door relationship

However, The STAR spoke to a source close to Powell, who hinted at a possible closed-door relationship.

"Well, the only thing I can say is that you can't see things and just judge it. There are a couple of times when she (Phillipps) is around."

The source added: "The girl he used to be with, it look like they broke up. I saw her (Phillipps) two times. The last time I could not (properly) recognise her (because of how discreetly she dressed)."

Another well-placed source indicated that Phillipps has been spotted at a number of Powell's training sessions.

The source further told The STAR in a telephone interview that the possibility of a full-fledged relationship could not be ruled out.

"Anything is possible and I hear that she is around a lot of times when I don't see. I'm not going to say them a talk because I see them smiling together. Really, it's not my business. I am not the type to go around and ask about other person's personal relationships," the source stated.

( L - R ) Yendi Phillipps, Asafa Powell - File Photos