Cruz Wins 800, but No Record; Britain’s Ovett Injured in 1,500

Olympic champion Joaquim Cruz of Brazil had the fastest time in the world this year for the second time in three days, but he failed to better Briton Sebastian Coe’s 800-meter world record at the Permit meet Wednesday.

Cruz won in 1 minute 42.50 seconds, improving by five-hundredths of a second his time at Cologne, West Germany, last Sunday. Coe, beaten by Cruz at Cologne, set the record of 1:41.73 in 1981. He did not compete here.

Johnny Gray of the United States finished second in 1:42.60 to clip .30 off his U.S. record.

Another U.S. record fell when Henry Marsh ran the 3,000-meter steeplechase in 8.09.17, also a world best this year. The seven-year-old world mark of 8:05.40 belongs to Henry Rono of Kenya.

Steve Ovett of Britain, the 1980 Olympic 800-meter champion, had his comeback after illness spoiled by an injury on the last lap of the 1,500-meter race.

Ovett was breathing down the neck of leader Jose Abascal of Spain when he was forced to pull out, allowing Abascal to cruise home in 3:32.17.

Ovett said later he appeared to have suffered a slight muscle tear in his right leg. He said he would attempt to train today before deciding whether to run at Brussels on Friday.