Bolt inspires Powell to target 9.59 seconds

Reuters

INSPIRED: Jamaican Usain Bolt hands the baton to Asafa Powell during the 4x100m relay final at the Beijing Olympics. Bolt's startling 9.69-second run at the Olympics has inspired Powell to target 9.59 for the 100 metres.

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Olympics 2008

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Usain Bolt's startling 9.69-second run at the Olympics has inspired Jamaican compatriot and former world record holder Asafa Powell to target 9.59 for the 100 metres.

"Two years ago I said to myself I could go 9.65 or faster but based on how Usain is running it's my aim now to go below 9.6," Powell told a news conference ahead of Tuesday's Athletissima Grand Prix in Lausanne.

"Usain can obviously run very fast but I'm not going to put him out of my reach."

The 21-year-old Bolt, four years younger than Powell, stunned the sporting world two weeks ago when he knocked 5/100ths of a second off his countryman's previous benchmark despite easing up to celebrate before he crossed the line in Beijing.

Powell, whose season has been blighted by injuries, had to settle for fifth place but later teamed up with Bolt to win gold for Jamaica in the 4x100 relay.

"I'd say in the Olympic 100 metres it looked like Usain could have run 9.63, 9.65 maybe," said Powell. "I was shocked to see what he did in the race, it was ridiculous.

"I can't imagine the times he's capable of running at the moment. He's the man to beat right now but before it was me and if I can break another world record then I'll be the one back in the spotlight."

Powell, who also finished fifth at the 2004 Athens Olympics despite going into the Games as favourite, said he had not written off his hopes of winning an individual gold.

"The 2012 London Games will be my last opportunity and Beijing was certainly my best chance but you never give up," he said.

"I've got no idea why I'm always winning on the circuit but then finishing fifth at the Olympics. Maybe if it was just a one-off race without the qualifying rounds I would have done better.

"Who knows? Maybe I'm not the guy for those big championships but just the guy to compete in the Grand Prix and Golden League meetings. It's just unfortunate."

Bolt, who followed his triple Olympic gold medal haul with victory in the 100 metres at Zurich's Weltklasse meeting on Friday, will also be in action in Lausanne.

He runs the 200 while Powell competes over 100.

-Reuters