Christie Falters Again in 100 Meters

Linford Christie’s Olympic buildup took another major blow Friday when he finished second to Jamaica’s Michael Green in London in his last 100-meter race before he defends the title in Atlanta.

Although running into a headwind, Christie also had a slow time as both men clocked 10.26 seconds. Green was declared the winner in the photo-finish.

“I wasn’t very happy with that, but Atlanta is the only one that matters,” Christie said.

Meanwhile, Allen Johnson was timed in 13.20 in winning the 110-meter hurdles and British triple jumper Jonathan Edwards had three no jumps but still won easily after clearing 57 feet 5 3/4 inches.

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World 800-meter champion Wilson Kipketer may yet run in the Games after the International Olympic Committee ruled that Kipketer, who was born in Kenya but lives in Denmark, is eligible to compete for Kenya.

It was unclear, however, whether Kipketer would accept the arrangement. He has been based in Denmark for six years and indicated that he no longer wants to compete for his native country.

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There will be another MJ looking for a 400-200 double at the Olympics. After months of denial--even as recent as Wednesday--Marie-Jose Perec of France said she will try to do the women’s version of Michael Johnson’s double. Perec, the Olympic and world champion in the women’s 400, said she kept it a secret until now because “she wanted to avoid the pressure and the number of questions attached to this challenge.”

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U.S. men’s Coach Erv Hunt calls the Gold Rush international track and field meet today at Duke “a final dress rehearsal.”

Carl Lewis is scheduled to run in the 100 meters and long jump.

It will also be the first chance for the U.S. men’s and women’s 400-meter relay teams to work together in competition.

The men’s team is Jon Drummond, Leroy Burrell, Mike Marsh and Dennis Mitchell. The women’s combination is Chryste Gaines, Gail Devers, Inger Miller and Gwen Torrence.