Asafa Powell’s 200m race at the 13th Jamaica International Invitational meet at the National Stadium last Saturday was more than just early season training as the former 100m world record holder says he will be hoping to run the double at the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association’s (JAAA) Olympic Trials in late June.

Powell beat a decent field with a season’s best 20.45 seconds after he ran 20.51 seconds at a meeting in Texas last month. while that time will not scare the big guns in the half-lap event, the likes of world record holder Usain Bolt, American Justin Gatlin and even the fastest Jamaican this year, Nickel Ashmeade, and World and Olympic Games medallist Warren Weir, the 34-year-old Powell is confident he will be able to contest the double at the Olympic Trials.

In his post-race interview, Powell hinted that he was targeting the double at JAAA Trials. “Honestly, I don’t remember how to run the 200m, so it’s a work in progress, hopefully by national trials I will get there.”

Acknowledging he was not getting any younger, Powell said: “Time is running out and I have been running only the 100m for years now and most sprinters are running the double and I want to give it a shot.”

When pressed by the Jamaica Observer whether he was able to handle the load of both events, he said candidly: “Definitely I can, I will be able to do it.”

Powell, who has a personal best 19.90 seconds set at the National Stadium 10 years ago and ran 19.97 seconds in 2010, admitted he struggled at the end of the race on Saturday.

“I felt good for the first 150, I ran well but the last half I got tired and dropped my knees a bit, some lactic acid as well,” he said. “I have been working so hard this week and I was kinda surprised that I made it that far; I felt comfortable before the race and just wanted to win here in front of the Jamaican fans.”

Powell, who received one of the biggest cheers from the decent turnout, said he was boosted by his victory over the field that included Commonwealth Games 200m champion Rasheed Dwyer, who finished a disappointing third in 20.52 seconds.

“I was not focused on anyone else (in the race) but was aware that Dwyer was in the race and I have a lot of respect for him as he is a tough competitor, and to get the win over him tonight is a good motivation,” Powell said.

His plans this year, other than to win the elusive global gold medal in the 100m at the Rio Olympics, he said was to have a good year. “I just want to have a fantastic year and to enjoy myself and just go out there and do my best and hopefully my best will be good enough to carry me through.”

Powell told the media his training was going well and he was working hard. “No problems in training, I am working very hard and sometimes I wonder if I am working too hard, but my brother is my coach and I know he won’t kill me off in training,” he joked.

He made his second foray into the indoor circuit this year and after two lightning fast 6.44 seconds in the first two rounds, was second in the final in 6.50 seconds, beaten by American Trayvon Bromell with 6.47 seconds. This he said has helped him to prepare for the outdoors.

“The indoor races got me more focused in getting back the start and working on getting back the first 60m on par and obviously it’s there, so I am just trying to maintain that and working on the last 40m as well,” Powell said.

When asked whether he was past the stage where he can still compete with the likes of Bolt, Gatlin and youngsters for the 100m gold, Powell quickly shot it down. “Definitely not; I know that I have a lot more in me and that’s why I am not giving up. I have a lot more in me.”

With his training programme still at the background stage and still doing strength work, Powell said while he was able to run fast, his full speed will come later.