Athletics: Asafa Powell warns of Olympic pressure

JAMAICA'S Asafa Powell believes Britain's athletes will want to "disappear" next year when the pressure of competing in a home Olympics becomes a reality.

Powell himself has often been accused of failing to cope with the pressure on the big occasion, the 28-year-old so far yet to claim a major individual sprint title despite running under ten seconds more than 70 times in his career.

"Having a home crowd, with all the expectations, is too much," said Powell, who will compete over 100 metres in the Aviva London Grand Prix tonight, a year ahead of the Olympics 100m final in the same city. "I'm sure the British athletes would want to disappear next year because there will be so much pressure. People will be expecting them to win but it's not like that. The best athlete will win."

As for his own title ambitions, Powell admits time is running out to claim the global title he feels he deserves, and is determined not to waste any more chances.

"Over the years I've been running fast times," the 28-year-old added. "I remember in 2005 when I broke the world record but I made a few mistakes and got injured.

"In 2007 I was too confident. I was the fastest person in that World Championship final but finished third and 9.86 won the final when I was a 9.7 runner.

"I've been making a lot of mistakes over the years."