Powell blames starting officials for missing record

BRUSSELS, Aug 25 (Reuters) Asafa Powell took a swipe at officials at the Memorial Van Damme Golden League meeting today saying they denied him the chance to break his 100 metres world record.

The Jamaican, who recovered from a dreadful start to win the race in 9.99 seconds, complained officials fired the starting gun too soon.

''I wasn't even ready in the blocks. I was kind of fixing myself and then I heard bang,'' the 23-year-old told a news conference.

Powell said everyone in the race was complaining afterwards about the start and added he was angry because he felt he could have beaten his record of 9.77 seconds.

''When I crossed the finish line and I still saw 9.9 I wondered if I could have run under 9.7.'' ''To really get out the blocks that late and run 9.9 that's really awesome,'' added Powell, who equalled his world mark for the second time this year in Zurich last week.

Women's 400 metres winner Sanya Richards, of the United States, told Reuters she thought Powell's race was a false start.

''I saw Asafa's face and I thought he (the starter) would call it back. I was surprised he didn't call it back. I thought it was a false start,'' she said.

Richards won her race in 50.02, but said she was also unhappy with the starting officials.

''I thought it was a quick start ... usually you get time to get in the blocks.'' REUTERS VJ BST0201