LONDON, England (BBC) – Former 100-metre world record holder Asafa Powell says the reason British sprinters are not challenging on the track is because they are lazy.

Powell, who is due to race in the 100-metre at the London Grand Prix today, believes athletes in his native Jamaica have a greater desire to succeed.

“I’ve said over the years that British sprinters are very lazy and don’t really want to practise,” he said

“Maybe it’s comfort. In Jamaica, you have to work harder for what you want.”

Commonwealth 100-metre champion Powell, 26, hails from Spanish Town, Jamaica, and believes the economic hardship experienced there instils budding athletes with a determination to succeed that is lacking in their British counterparts.

“We have a different mindset,” he said. “You have to make a living out of it because you don’t get a living from anywhere else.

“You have to go out there and make something of yourself.”

Britain’s main hope in the 100-metre at Crystal Palace is 23-year-old Simeon Williamson, who comfortably beat Dwain Chambers in the UK trials with a time of 10.05 seconds.

However, this is some way off the time needed to challenge the top athletes in the event, including Powell, and the Jamaican says Williamson must be prepared to put the effort in to earn the rewards.

“Simeon came to Jamaica and from what I observed he is a bit lazy,” said Powell.

“He did well though and he made a lot of improvements and if he puts in the effort and the hard work there is a lot more to come.”

Powell will face off against Olympic 100-metre champion Usain Bolt today in an eagerly anticipated 100-metre contest.

Bolt took world athletics by storm at the Beijing Olympics last year, winning gold in the 100-metre, 200-metre and 4×100-metre relay, setting new world records in each event, and will start today’s race as favourite.

However, Powell – who has been suffering from an ankle injury – is unbeaten over the distance at Crystal Palace having run under 10 seconds in his previous three races at the venue and is predicting a spectacle.

“I’m sure a lot of people are looking forward to it,” he said. “I’m excited to see what kind of shape I’m in right now. I feel in pretty good shape.”

“The ankle is in shape to go 9.7 (seconds) but I’m not sure it’s in shape to go below that.

“I’m in better shape than I thought I was, and maybe some of the other guys will go below 9.7 so we will wait and see.”

One sprinter who will not be competing in the 100m is American triple world champion Tyson Gay, who has a persistent groin strain and decided to concentrate on the 200m.

However, Powell feels having himself, Bolt and Gay on the scene is extremely beneficial to the sport.

“At first there was really only me, and then Tyson came on board and now we have three guys who are capable of running below 9.8 seconds,” he said. “It’s fantastic and it has done a lot for the sport.

“Having three guys like that out there, the world record is likely to get broken.”