Powell happy that Gatlin owned up

Brussels: Justin Gatlin's forfeiture of a share of the 100 metres world record made little difference to Asafa Powell, who said that he felt like the sole owner of the mark since the US sprinter was caught doping.

"Actually, since the day that Justin was tested positive, from that day I was the sole holder," Powell said.

On Tuesday, Gatlin received an eight-year ban from US track and field, avoiding a lifetime penalty in exchange for his cooperation with doping authorities.

"It is a good thing that he chose to cooperate," Powell said of his longtime rival.

Pending appeal, the eight-year ban would likely end the rivalry between the two, who have shared cold shoulders on the track and the world record of 9.77 seconds since May.

Powell equalled that mark twice since, most recently on Friday at the Weltklasse meet in Zurich. Now, he is on his own again.

"It doesn't mean a big thing because I knew from before," Powell said.

He is in the best shape for his life and hopes to better his triple 9.77.

"We will have to wait and see," he said.

Gatlin is the Olympic and world champion, while Powell has the world record. The two rarely race together and meet organisers were furiously trying to get both in the same race until the doping scandal broke out on July 30.

Since Jamaica's Powell is only 23, it makes him the hot favourite to take the world and Olympic titles over the next two years.

He is in Brussels preparing for the Memorial Van Damme meet, the fifth of six Golden League meetings.

"One way or the other, there will come a time when I run under 9.77," he said after equaling his world record last week.

Powell first set the world record in Athens last year, with Gatlin equalling the mark in May. Powell matched the record again a month later in Gateshead, England before getting a triple in Zurich.

Powell has won all four of his Golden League events and is among four athletes vying for a share in the US$1 million (euro780,000) jackpot. The prize is awarded to any athlete who wins his or her event in all six meets in the series.