Burrell on Relay Team; Lewis Declines

Leroy Burrell, the world-record holder in the 100 meters, is going to the Olympics and he might have Carl Lewis to thank for it.

Burrell on Monday was asked to join Dennis Mitchell, Jon Drummond and Michael Marsh on the United States’ 400-meter relay team after Lewis declined to be part of the squad as an alternate.

Sixth in the 100 in the trials, Burrell was eligible for the relay because he advanced to the final. He teamed with Lewis, Marsh and Mitchell in 1992 to set the Olympic record of 37.40 seconds.

Lewis, who qualified for his fifth Olympic team in the long jump, finished last in the 100 meters but still hoped to be picked for the anchor leg of the relay. When asked to sign a contract making him an alternate, he said he wasn’t interested.

“Being in an alternate situation isn’t right for me,” Lewis said. “I’ve won eight gold medals and there other people, I’m sure, that would love to be alternates.”