Asafa Powell predicts Olympics 100m clean sweep for Jamaica

Asafa Powell won the 50m at the US Open - then predicted a Jamaican clean sweep of the 100m medals at London 2012 .

Powell has run the most sub 10-second 100m races in history, while Usain Bolt is the world record holder and Yohan Blake ranked world number one.

"Yes, it is very possible. Surely it can be done," said Powell after clocking 5.64 seconds on Saturday. "We have some amazing runners."

POWELL'S KEY 100M RACES

Asafa Powell (left) winning the US Open indoor athletics final
  • 2009 World Championships, Berlin - bronze
  • 2008 Olympics, Beijing - fifth
  • 2007 World Championships, Osaka - bronze
  • 2006 Commonwealth Games, Melbourne - gold
  • 2004 Olympics, Athens - fifth

He beat compatriot Nesta Carter (5.67) and American Trell Kimmons (5.68).

Justin Gatlin, also from America, finished fourth (5.71) in the rarely contested event.

The world record - 5.56 seconds - is held jointly by Canada's Donovan Bailey and American Maurice Greene.

"Nothing's ever certain, not even for Usain Bolt," added Powell, who was making his first indoor appearance since 2004.

"To run this well this early in the season is very promising. I'm very fit right now. But I'm still not fast."

Powell, the former world 100m record holder  , is due to make his British indoor debut at the Birmingham Grand Prix on 18 February.

The 29-year-old, who will be based in Birmingham with the rest of the Jamaica squad ahead of the Olympics , has a 100m personal best of 9.72 seconds.