Powell pulls out of Paris meet

Lausanne - Jamaican sprinter Asafa Powell has withdrawn from Saturday's Diamond League meeting in Paris due to injury, event organisers announced Thursday.

Powell, a former 100-metre world record holder, complained of feeling a slight pain in his hamstring and elected not to race as a precaution, organisers added.

Powell, 31, was expected to make his competitive return in the French capital after receiving a temporary reprieve following an 18-month doping ban he was issued in April.

He and training partner Sherone Simpson, who was also suspended for testing positive for the banned stimulant Oxilofrine at last year's Jamaican Athletics Championship, have appealed their cases to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). A hearing is set for July 7-8.

Powell was also a late withdrawal from last week's Jamaican Athletics Championship after coming down with stomach flu.