The two-time World Championships bronze medallist is widely regarded for his explosive start and seems a natural fit for the shorter races on the indoor circuit.

"I think most likely this will be my last Olympic Games, so I'm going all out for this one," Powell said before explaining his reasons for avoiding the indoor season over the years.

"I don't like indoors for the mere fact that it's so cold at that time of year, I think I'll run faster to the building than inside."

Getting an early start this time around is all part of Powell's masterplan to unseat countryman Usain Bolt from the pinnacle of global sprinting in London. Powell has never won an individual gold medal at the Games, placing fifth at both Beijing and Athens.

"Over the years, before everyone came on, I was the only one out there running very fast," he said.

"I'm very confident. The thing is, I know my downfalls. I know my problems, and my problems are injuries." Injuries, he says, are now a matter of the past.

"I'm over all of that."

This comes as good news for his fans, who will remember all too well that his last indoor campaign in 2004 was also marred by injuries to his groin and hamstring.

"... That kind of scared me from indoors," Powell said before turning his attention back to Bolt and his plans for the upcoming season.

"I know that I can run some very fast times, the times that Usain is running right now," said Powell, whose personal best is 9.72.

"If I don't beat Usain, I think I'll beat my personal best. I can't control what Usain does. I can only control myself."

Powell, who as a precaution, will be travelling with a physical therapist to his races, will also run in Birmingham, England, on February 18 as well as the World Indoor Championships in March in Istanbul. He is expecting to open his outdoor season in April.

This will be the Jamaican's first 50m outing but he should take some comfort from the fact that he also posted his fastest indoor time of 6.56 over 60m inside the MSG.

The 50m is not a frequently run event, but will Donovan Bailey's 5.56 world record be under threat?

"It's a lot to ask for, but he does run well in his first races, so I wouldn't put it out of the question," reasoned Powell's agent Paul Doyle.

Powell will have Beijing Olympics 100m silver medallist Richard Thompson and 2004 Olympic 100m champion Justin Gatlin for company in New York.