Powell inspired to beat Bolt’s time

JAMAICA. 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 meters.

"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.