Powell irritated by start rules

World number-one sprinter Asafa Powell believes the current false-start laws are “the worst they have ever been”.

Jamaican Powell broke Tim Montgomery’s 100 metres world record in Athens five weeks ago in a time of 9.77 seconds.

But he insists the current laws – which disqualify the second runner to jump the gun in any given race – give slow starters the chance to twist the rules in their favour.

He said: “The present system is the worst it’s ever been. I don’t think they should have any false starts – some people try and take advantage by putting everybody else off with a first false start.

“I know a lot of athletes who can’t start well so they do it on purpose, but I won’t name them.

“The IAAF haven’t asked the athletes for their opinions but we should be consulted.”

Powell was disqualified from the 2003 World Championships in Paris after jumping the gun but he said: “I’ve never twitched deliberately to put anybody off and it should go back to the way it was.”