Only One of Them Can Be the Fastest

Carl Lewis and Ben Johnson, likened by Lewis to be “what Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier were to boxing,” finally stopped talking and started running Friday, culminating months--make that years--of buildup to their anything-you-can-run, I-can-run-faster fight for the title of World’s Fastest Human.

Each man came through two preliminary heats of the Olympic 100-meter dash Friday without distress, so it’s full speed ahead to the pursuit of the gold medal. Should they survive the Saturday morning semifinal round as expected, Lewis and Johnson will go off at 1:30 that afternoon at the Seoul Sports Complex, which is 8:30 tonight in Los Angeles. Time to settle this thing once and for all.

The American says he will win. Lewis, 27, is the current Olympic 100-meter champion, having won gold medals in two sprints, a relay and the long jump in 1984, and might have unlimited fame and fortune awaiting him if he repeats.

The Canadian says he will win. Johnson, 26, had to be satisfied with an Olympic bronze medal in 1984, but as of today he is the fastest man on Earth, having won the 100 meters in 1987’s World Championships at Rome in the spectacular world-record time of 9.83 seconds.

Fastest time of Lewis’ career is 9.93, in that same Rome race, yet Lewis defeated Johnson on Aug. 17 in Zurich, Switzerland, in a pre-Seoul grudge match.

Another American, former world record-holder Calvin Smith, 27, is capable of crashing this party. Although Johnson still brags, boxer style, that “Calvin is no match for me,” Smith has whipped the Canadian twice this year alone. It was Smith’s record of 9.93 that Johnson eclipsed and Lewis equalled in the 100 meters at Rome, and Smith occupied himself by winning the 200.

So, it’s one (Lewis) for the money, two (Lewis-Johnson) for the show, three (add Smith) to get ready and go, cats, go.

Hold on, though. Shoot the gun. False start. There is still another interloper, as it were, someone not representing North America, with an outside chance here. He is Linford Christie, 28, of Great Britain, a native Jamaican, as Johnson is, who finished fourth in that Rome race, and definitely threw his hat into the Olympic rings by beating Johnson in Friday’s second heat.

“ I’ll win,” Christie promised.

Think something so unexpected couldn’t happen? Hey, expect anything. “Remember,” Lewis says, “this whole thing’s over in 10 seconds. One stumble, one mistake, and there’s no recovery. You can kiss it goodby.”

Let the derby begin, then. In jeopardy is the 20-year-old Olympic record of 9.95, set by the U.S.’s Jim Hines in the lofty altitude of Mexico City. In double jeopardy is the world record, although the surface of the Seoul track (Rekortan) is neither Johnson’s nor Lewis’ favorite. In final jeopardy is the series of Lewis-Johnson worldwide exhibitions that are certain to follow, if the Olympic race turns out as exciting as it is supposed to be.

One thing each man has in common with his nemesis is the dedication of their Olympic efforts to their fathers. Lewis’ dad, Bill Lewis, died last year in New Jersey, but “his spirit is still with me, pushing me on,” Lewis says.

Johnson’s father, also named Ben, is a Jamaican telephone lineman who had to remain on the island to help repair damage done by Hurricane Gilbert. He cannot come to Korea, but hopes to fly to his son’s Toronto home in time to catch the race on television.

How will the race go?

Expect Johnson to be in front halfway through it, with Lewis coming on strong.

“We’re two completely different styles,” Lewis said. “Ben gives it everything he’s got from the word go. . . . I get stronger as the race goes on. He has to have a fast start.”

Although Johnson and Lewis are hardly buddies, they know they are good for one another. As Lewis says, “I think we’ve been good for track and field, that we’ve sort of done what Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier did for boxing. It gives people something to talk about. They’re curious.”

The two men looked in great shape when they made their first on-track appearances Friday, in 61-degree weather. Johnson was so far in front in his first heat, he jogged across the finish line in 10.37. “Don’t expect nothin’ fast this early,” Johnson said afterward.

Lewis, likewise, won his first heat with ease, but barely let up, and his time of 10.14 was the morning’s best, with Christie’s 10.19 next. “I wanted to run faster, but there was no point,” Lewis said.

In the afternoon session, with the temperature having jumped to 76 degrees, Lewis won his second heat going away, in 9.99.

His rival was not so hot. Johnson ran a nonchalant third to Christie and America’s Dennis Mitchell. Johnson was easing up at the end, and, with only the top two finishers advancing automatically, he needed to gain one of the four available placements for those qualifying by time. His 10.17 did get him into the semifinal round, but left some doubt as to whether Johnson was struggling or deliberately playing it cool.

The Lewis-Johnson debate was still on.

This rivalry dates back to the runners’ teen-age years. They first met at a junior competition in Sudbury, Canada, on Aug. 29, 1980, with Lewis the victor in 10.43 seconds, and Johnson sixth in 10.88.

Around the world they went. Lewis had the edge early, and in ’84 when they met in the Coliseum, Lewis took the gold medal in 9.99 seconds, the Canadian third in 10.22.

But, a year and 17 days after the Olympics, back in Zurich, Johnson got the best of Lewis at last, 10.18 to 10.31. He proceeded to win six of the next seven meetings.

The difference? Partly it was because Johnson greatly improved his physical strength, particularly in the upper body. Partly it was because Johnson perfected his start. And partly it was because Lewis’ attention to his work was diverted by other interests.

He became a singer and cut an album called “Modern Man,” which sold wonderfully in Scandinavia, nicely in Japan and not one lick in the United States.

Lewis got down to business and trained diligently for the Aug. 30 encounter at the World Championships in Rome. He arrived in perfect condition--and ran great. His 9.93 tied the world record.

It’s just that Johnson was a 10th of a second faster.

Ever since, the trail has pointed toward Seoul for mankind’s fastest souls and soles. As skillfully as they once ran against one another, they began to dodge one another just as skillfully.

Only once in more than a year have Johnson and Lewis gotten it on. On Aug. 17 at Zurich, a 100-meter race was run, and Lewis won it with the same time he clocked in Rome, 9.93, Johnson taking third in 10 flat. There was nothing between them but their Calvin: Smith, eager not to be ignored.

All three remain in the running for World’s Fastest Human, and they are not alone. The time has come to see who runs first, see who runs off only at the mouth.