PARIS (AP):

Jamaican sprinters Usain Bolt and Asafa Powell go head-to-head for the first time this year in the 100 metres at the Diamond League meet in Paris today.

Bolt and Powell, who share the fastest time this year of 9.82 seconds, meet in a much anticipated showdown at the Areva meet at the Stade de France.

"Asafa Powell taking the start, plus runners like Yohan Blake and Daniel Bailey, I know the 100 will be a great race," Bolt said. "My goal will be not to lose this race. I plan to go 9.7. It should be a good race. Asafa is ready."

Following an Achilles' tendon injury, Bolt returned to competition in Lausanne, Switzerland, on July 9 and clocked 9.82 seconds. That matched Powell's time in Rome on June 10.

Missing will be American sprinter Tyson Gay, who beat Powell in Gateshead last weekend.

The Stade de France race will be Bolt's third 100-metre competition of the season.

"I no longer feel the slightest discomfort as far as my Achilles' tendon goes," Bolt said. "I'm, however, remaining careful and being really attentive during training sessions. According to my doctor, I should be running at 100 percent again in two or three weeks."

Powell is the last man to have beaten Bolt in the 100, two years ago in Stockholm. Bolt, the Olympic and world champion and world-record holder in the 100m and 200m, said he improved a lot after that defeat.

rivals

"My coach used to say that you have to learn how to lose before knowing how to win. Looking back at the race, I figured out where I made mistakes and I worked on correcting them," Bolt said.

Powell was overtaken in the final metres by Gay at last Saturday's British Grand Prix, but Bolt believes his Jamaican rival will be dangerous.

"Asafa has proven to be highly consistent this season, with a fair number of times close to the 9.80 mark. He is waiting for me."

Bolt set a Stade de France record last year, clocking 9.79 seconds in cool weather and steady rain. His world record, set at the Berlin world championships last year, is 9.58 seconds.

The race is set for 2:46 p.m. local time.