Austrian Upsets Carl Lewis in 100 Meters : American Loses by Hundredth of Second in New Delhi Nehru Meet to Andreas Berger

Unheralded Andreas Berger of Austria upset Olympic champion Carl Lewis in the 100-meter sprint today at an international track and field meet. Lewis lost the race by one hundredth of a second, just a few hours after he arrived on a long flight from the United States.

Despite the defeat in the Nehru Centenary track meet, an estimated 40,000 Indians cheered Lewis and mobbed him for autographs.

Hot, Humid Evening

Berger was timed in 10.46 seconds to Lewis’ 10.47 in a race run on a hot and humid evening at New Delhi’s Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.

Lewis, who arrived early today for the two-day meet, said, “I was a little bit tired from the long journey. I have nearly traveled half of the globe to reach here.

“But there is no excuse. I had problems with the starting block. They were slipping. It was a bad day for me, but as I said there is no excuse.”

“I can’t believe I have beaten Carl,” an elated Berger said. “If Carl is in a good shape, I have no chance.”

Lewis is the winner of five World Championship gold medals and six Olympic golds, including the 100 meters at the last two Games.

He ran only the 100 meters today and is scheduled to run one more race, the 400-meter relay, on the second day of the meet Wednesday.

In an earlier event, Said Aouita, the Moroccan middle-distance king, won the 1,500 easily in 3 minutes, 34.90 seconds.

Aouita, holder of five world records, beat a formidable opponent in Steve Ovett, who was third. Second was Aouta’s countryman, Aziz Sahere.

Seoul Olympics bronze medalist Tonie Campbell of the United States won the gold in the 110-meter hurdles for men in 13.6 seconds.

The 30-year-old Campbell won the 1988 Seoul title with a time of 13.17 seconds.

Twelve events were held today and the remaining 16 will be conducted Wednesday.

The meet commemorates the birth centenary of independent India’s first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru.

Indian sports officials hope the meet will strengthen their claim for inclusion of New Delhi on the Grand Prix circuit next year.