Anthony Foster, Star Writer

Asafa Powell (centre) speaking to reporters at the Norman Manley International Airport yesterday, shortly after arriving home. - Winston Sill

Olympic sprint relay gold medallist Asafa Powell has appealed for more support for young athletes while warning the country's detractors that Jamaica will produce a lot more world beaters in the future.

Powell, who was speaking at yesterday's welcome reception for 4x400m bronze medal winner Rosemarie White and himself at the Norman Manley Airport, said if the young athletes are given the necessary support, Jamaica would remain on top for a very long time.

Negative talk

He said there was some negative talk about Jamaica's performance at the recent Beijing Olympics, but according to the former world 100 metres record holder, it's all because "those from other countries that used to do well in the sport are not doing well again".

"They are questioning a lot of things," said Powell, who appeared to be responding to recent remarks by American Carl Lewis about Usain Bolt, who broke two world records in Beijing.

"They are not used to people running so fast and clean, so it's just a lot of fighting going on. We just have to be strong. We want Jamaica to continue to support us ... ," he added.

Meanwhile, despite suggestions from his parents to change his current coach, Powell, the world's second-fastest man, said that will not happen.

His parents Rev William Powell and his wife Cislyn, in a local television interview, said they believed it was time for the 25-year-old to make a change.

"Change the coach. Try somebody else," Powell's father said. "He should have changed the coach long time."

Asafa said that's not on option.

"My mother loves me very much. She has the right to say whatever she wants to say, but that's an issue I have to deal with, with her ... but there will not be any change of coach," the former world 100m record holder said.

Cislyn Powell, the athlete's mother, said Asafa, like all her other sons, when they believed in someone, it's hard to change their minds.

She said if Asafa had a problem with winning major events, this problem needed to be identified.

"As a coach, he (coach Stephen Francis) should be able to identify the problem," the athlete's mother said.

Her comments came after Powell, for the second time in consecutive Olympics failed to finish among the medals in the 100 metres final. In the 2004 Games, he was fifth in 9.94 and was again out of the medals in Beijing, running 9.95.

Personal best

But after both Games, Powell returned to run personal-best times, lowering his 9.91 to 9.89 in 2004. After the recent Beijing Games, he clocked 9.72, which bettered his previous best of 9.74 .

Powell and White are the latest Olympians to return to the island.

Minister of Information, Culture, Youth and Sports Olivia 'Babsy' Grange, Jamaica Olympic Association president Mike Fennell, Jamaica Amateur Athletic Association's Howard Aris, Sports Development Foundation chairman David Mais and several of Powell's MVP teammates were on hand to welcome home the Olympians.

Grange told Powell "you are the trailblazer" and to White she said: "Rosemarie, you are going to be a great athlete".

White said: "The experience was very great, knowing it was my first time at a major Championships. I am very proud of myself." The G.C. Foster College student placed seventh in the Olympic 400m final and returned to get a bronze medal in the 4x400m relay.