BRUSSELS (AFP) - Olympic champion and world record holder Usain Bolt on Wednesday said he was not surprised that Jamaican compatriot Asafa Powell posted the second-fastest 100m at a meeting in Lausanne.

Powell's time of 9.72sec at the IAAF Super Grand Prix event was 0.03sec outside the world mark that Bolt set at the Beijing Games on August 16.

That performance went some way to compensating for Powell's disappointing Beijing final, where he came in fifth, and sent a clear message to the field, not least Bolt.

"I am not surprised at Asafa's performance. He is a big athlete, who can beat world records," said Bolt.

Bolt was speaking ahead of Friday's Golden League meeting in Brussels, where he will contest the 100m with Powell and American world champion Tyson Gay for the first time.

"It's not a problem for me, it will make the race more exciting. I can only say I will do my best on Friday," he said.

As well as a blistering 100m win in Beijing, Bolt also took gold in the 200m and 4x100 relay, as well as setting new world records in all three events.

He added: "My gold medals from Beijing count much more than any world record.

"After Brussels I want to go back home. I haven't been back to Jamaica since the Games and I'm in a hurry," he said.