Canada’s Johnson Defeats Lewis for the Fourth Time

Canadian Ben Johnson defeated Olympic champion Carl Lewis in the 100 meters in a photo finish Thursday at the Expo 92 outdoor track and field Meet.

Johnson, the world’s top ranked sprinter, used an explosive start to beat Lewis out of the blocks. Lewis made up some ground, and as they neared the tape, Lewis lunged forward and appeared to finish even with Johnson.

Lewis raised his arms in a victorious manner, but officials declared Johnson the winner by one-tenth of a second after examining the photo finish. Johnson’s time of 10.06 seconds was the best in the world this year.

Lewis, who won four gold medals at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games, has lost four times to Johnson in the 100 meters.

Spain’s Jose-Luis Gonzalez set a national record and a 1987 world best in the 3,000 meters with a time of 7 minutes, 42.93 seconds. Frank O’Mara of Ireland finished second in 7:42.99.

In other events, Mike Conley won the men’s triple jump with a leap of 55 feet, 10 inches; Cuba’s Javier Sotomayor topped Sweden’s Patrik Sjoberg in the men’s high jump with a mark of 7-6; Carol Lewis won the women’s long jump with a distance of 22-1; Pam Marshall upset Canada’s Angella Taylor-Issajenko in the women’s 100 meters; and Donald Witherspoon won the men’s 200 meters.