The 24-year-old Jamaican had been scheduled to represent his country in the men's 4x100 meters relay at the Mt. San Antonio College Relays at the Hilmer Lodge Stadium.

Powell, who suffered a tender right knee, said his decision was just a precaution, and he didn't expect his preparations for the athletics world championships in Osaka in August to be disrupted.

"I'm very sad but it was a little too cold for me," Powell said over the public address system at the 49th edition of the race."Although my knee has been a bit tender in training, I felt confident I would be able to run today."

Powell, who twice equaled his 100 meters world record of 9.77 seconds last year, is yet to win a world or Olympic medal.