Athletics-Powell third on comeback after doping ban ends

[July 16, 2014]  (Reuters) - Jamaican sprinter Asafa Powell finished third on his return to 100m action at a meeting in Lucerne, the day after his reduced doping ban ended.

"It's good to be back. I've had a lot of stress and pressure over the last few months," said Powell after running 10.30 seconds behind compatriot Julian Forte in 10.23 and Antoine Adams of St Kitts and Nevis in 10.29.

"I haven't trained for three weeks. I need to come back bit by bit," he told reporters after the race on Tuesday.

The former world record holder was suspended, along with training partner Sherone Simpson, for 18 months by a Jamaica Anti-doping disciplinary panel after both tested positive for a banned stimulant.

They claimed the substance had been in a contaminated food supplement.

The suspension was reduced to six months on appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and expired on Monday.

Powell's last competitive outing came at the Lausanne Diamond League meeting in July last year.

(Reporting By Tony Goodson)

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