Asafa Powell equalled the men's 100 metres world record with a time of 9.77 seconds at a Grand Prix meeting yesterday and then said later he could have gone faster.
Speaking to Reuters by phone, Powell said: "Based on today, if I had known I was going that fast and run all the way to the line, I could have run 9.75 or so."But I am not going to put any limits on the season except to say I can go below 9.77."
Powell originally set the 9.77 record in Athens in June 2005. That was matched by American Olympic and world champion Justin Gatlin in Doha on May 12 this year.
I AM NO FAKE
The two men are due to race against each other in London on July 28 but it could happen before that and Powell is ready.
The Jamaican, hinting at a possible best of three series, told Reuters: "Today just proves I'm back (and) I'm no fake. I'm always ready to run Justin."
The pair's last clash on the track was in London in July 2005 when Powell pulled up with a groin problem that ended his season.
Powell runs next in the Jamaican championships (June 23-25), then Athens (July 3), Paris (July 8) and Rome (July 14). Gatlin is set initially for the U.S. championships in Indianapolis from June 22-25.
Powell's agent Paul Doyle felt it was a "definite possibility" the two men would meet soon.
GREAT START
"We are working on a few things," he said. "We will know a lot more on Monday. We should hopefully have a decision on Monday.
"It's at least 50-50 right now and I think Asafa equalling the world record makes it much more likely."
After easing through his heat yesterday, Powell got a great start in the final and was never troubled, finishing well clear of compatriot Michael Frater in 10.06. Britain's Dwain Chambers, making his comeback after a two-year ban for doping, was third in 10.07. The European champion's ban for a positive test for the designer steroid THG (tetrahydrogestinone) ended last November but he was only cleared to compete on Friday by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) after repaying prize and appearance money.
Things did not go so well for Powell's Jamaican teammate Veronica Campbell in the women's 200 metres. The Olympic champion fell to the ground with an apparent thigh injury just after the bend and had to be taken off the track in a wheelchair. American 400m specialist Sanya Richards won the race in 22.25.
