Powell says British sprinters are lazy

Jamiacan sprinter Asafa Powell has attacked his British track rivals, accusing them of being "lazy" and lacking the motivation to succeed that Powell and his fellow countryman, 100m & 200m Olympic champion Usain Bolt, possess.

"We have a different mindset," Powell said. "You have to make a living out of it because you don't get a living from anywhere else. You have to go out there and make something of yourself."

Powell is in London to contest the 100m against Bolt at the Crystal Palace grand prix and is confident that he can repeat his victory over Bolt that he recorded in Stockholm last July, the world record holder's last reverse at 100m.

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING
Anna Kessel, the Guardian: "It is only 14 months since Powell was the 100m world-record holder with 9.74sec, but after Bolt's performances - twice breaking the 100m world record in Beijing last year - Powell had been written off in some quarters. He has been called a 'choker', plagued by psychological demons, and he admitted to 'giving up' halfway through the last World Championships final in 2007 as he watched Tyson Gay pass him and finish in third place. Powell contests that accusation - 'I don't think I have a psychological problem,' he said, although he conceded that he will need to prove his mettle this summer with a big championship performance."

Daily Telegraph: "One Briton hoping to prove Powell wrong is Simeon Williamson who recently won the UK trials, beating Dwain Chambers, in a time of 10.05 secs. 'Simeon came to Jamaica and from what I observed he is a bit lazy,' said Powell. 'He did well though and he made a lot of improvements and if he puts in the effort and the hard work there is a lot more to come.' Williamson is hoping to become just the fourth British athlete to record an official sub-10-second 100m when he lines up alongside Powell and Bolt. He will also have an added motive to beat Powell."

Rick Broadbent, the Times: "In the good old days, Usain Bolt used to look up to Jamaica’s sprinting icon Powell and call him 'The Fast Man'. The roles have since reversed and Asafa Powell is hauling his ailing body and dented ego into line for a shot at fast-fading glories. 'I need to run my own race because if I do then I will beat him,” Powell, who faces a 100m showdown with his compatriot tonight, said. 'I want to be the king of sprints because I think I am.' It was a year ago this week when Bolt was last beaten. Powell, ploughing another comeback trail after shoulder surgery and groin trouble, was the victor in Stockholm, whereupon Bolt rewrote the record books at the Olympics while Powell faded to fifth and comparative obscurity." ·