KINGSTON, Jamaica – Men's 100 metres World
record-holder Asafa Powell of Jamaica believes Marion Jones' disclosure of taking performance-enhancing drugs will affect him in the near future.

Jones, a three-time Olympic champion, pleaded guilty on October 5 to lying to United States Government investigators about using performance-enhancing drugs.

The disgraced American sprint superstar subsequently announced her retirement from international track and field competition.

Powell said he would come under intense scrutiny next season, when he starts to run faster.

"People are going to say a lot of stuff when I run fast," he said in a television interview.

"But I will be going out there to perform and break records. People will always say bad and good things.
It's just a part of the game."

Powell described Jones' decision to take performance-enhancing drugs as unfair.

"It's unfair to other athletes because they were robbed of their moment in time," he said.

"It's very, very unfair. It (Jones' action) will put
a lot more pressure on the sport because of her status.

"So many people look up to Marion Jones, and after so many years, they found out that she was actually taking drugs, this is going to put a lot of pressure
on the sport."

Powell, who ran a World record 9.74 seconds mere days after losing to American Tyson Gay at the World Championships, said he intends to remain focused on capturing gold at the Olympic Games in Beijing, China, next year.

He said he woudl not let the Jones situation or his disappointing performance at Worlds sidetrack him from that objective. (CMC)