DOHA, Qatar (AP):

American sprinter Allyson Felix says she feels right at home in the desert heat and is looking forward to the season opening Qatar Super Grand Prix meet, but Jamaican sprinter Asafa Powell has had to withdraw due to an ankle injury.

"I don't mind the heat. I like it," Felix said. "All sprinters like it. It's just like the warm weather in Los Angeles."

Felix, the Beijing Olympics silver medallist in the 200m, will run the 400 at Qatar's Super Grand Prix against rivals like Shericka Williams of Jamaica and American Natasha Hastings.

"I have prepared well and put things together for the season-opening race," Felix said.

The 23-year-old said that her main goal for the new season is to defend her world title.

"Right now, my target in the new season is to defend my title in the 200 metres at the Berlin World Championships," Felix said yesterday. "That's my goal in 2009."

On the men's side, Jamaica's Michael Frater and Winston Barnes will run the 100 metres tomorrow, but Powell, the former 100m world record holder, sprained his ankle while competing in Philadelphia last month. It's the second year in a row that Powell has had to pull out of the Qatar Super GP.

"I am really sorry to have to disappoint again," Powell said in a statement. "I know it is the only decision I can make. I am not injured badly and I know I will be fully recovered shortly."

The 26-year-old athlete is expected to run at the Reebok Classic in New York on May 30.