According to reports reaching Caribbean Net News, Powell was called on as a replacement for American Justin Gatlin, the man he shares the world record with, to run at Monday's IAAF Athens Super Grand Prix, after Gatlin pulled out with a "mild strain."

Caribbean Net News was told that the sprinter too was suffering from a slight leg injury and could not replace Gatlin in the event. However, Powell's camp confirmed from Italy that the Caribbean superman is in great form and declared that he will only run according to his schedule.

"Asafa (Powell) is replacement for no one," the MVP track club assistant coach Paul Francis was quoted as saying to the Jamaica Observer. "Asafa is fine. He's not injured as the world will see when he runs in Paris on Saturday."

Also verifying Powell had no injury scare was Bruce James, the President of the MVP club and he too confirmed that the Athens meeting was not in the world holder's early season schedule.

"Based on reports I've gotten from the camp (in Italy) directly, Asafa is not injured and the races that he's going to be running in are pre-determined," James said, adding that a list containing Powell's full season racing schedule can be seen on the club's website.

"Everyone can see the track meets that he's scheduled to compete in. Athens was never a part of the plan."

Powell and Gatlin are the joint world record holder for the 100m, at 9.77 seconds. However, Powell, the 2006 Commonwealth Games champion has run the record twice.

He also is joint fastest man over 200m this season with a time of 19.90sec. This performance is shared with American Wallace Spearmon.