LONDON, July 24, 2009 (AFP )- Former 100m world record holder Asafa Powell branded British sprinters lazy and said they were unlikely to beat the world's best.
The Jamaican sprinter said British runners were perhaps lacking in motivation to succeed because their lifestyles were already comfortable, the BBC reported.
"I've said over the years that British sprinters are very lazy and don't really want to practice," Powell said.
"Maybe it's comfort. In Jamaica, you have to work harder for what you want. We have a different mindset. You have to make a living out of it because you don't get a living from anywhere else.
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Powell |
"You have to go out there and make something of yourself."
Powell takes on triple Olympic gold medallist Usain Bolt at this weekend's London Grand Prix ahead of the World Championships in Berlin next month.
The feature race also includes emerging British sprinter Simeon Williamson, who defeated compatriot Dwain Chambers at local world championship trials earlier this month.
Powell acknowledged Williamson had shown some improvements, particularly after spending two months training in Jamaica last winter.
"Simeon came to Jamaica and from what I observed he is a bit lazy," he said.
"He did well though. He had a lot of improvements and if he puts in the effort and the hard work there is a lot more to come."
Powell, 26, the former 100m world record holder who was unseated by Bolt, said he was confident of defeating his rival on Saturday night. |
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