After Tying Record, Greene Breaks It

American sprinter Maurice Greene found a new way to carve out a world indoor record Tuesday.

Sore legs and a bad start.

Greene, who trains under John Smith at UCLA, took center stage in 1997 by winning the 100 meters in the world championships. He began 1998 by declaring “there are no limits”--and walked the walk by covering 60 meters in 6.39 seconds at a meet in Madrid.

The performance came two days after Greene had tied the previous record--of 6.41 set by Andre Cason at Madrid in 1992--at a meet in Stuttgart, Germany.

“My body was still sore from my run in Stuttgart,” Greene said from Madrid. “I didn’t know how I was going to compete. This race wasn’t one of my better starts.

“But you have to deal with what’s given to you. You have to give your best. They expect Michael Jordan to play his best every night. You have to deal with the circumstances.”

Finishing second by 0.11 of a second was Greene’s training partner and friend, Jon Drummond.

Greene had thought he would lower the record at an upcoming meet in Birmingham, England, and was now quickly readjusting his goals.

“I talked to him [John Smith], and we’ve got more work to do,” Greene said. “This is the beginning. I have a time in mind I have to do. . . . I believe the 60 can go to 6.37.”

Greene’s ascent has been sudden and a boost to the sport. Only 23, he is already a world champion and an indoor world-record holder. He also has a sense of humor, once yelling: “Release the hounds!” after a preliminary race at the world championships in Athens last summer.

He was more subdued--and tired--Tuesday night.

“We have a theme this year--no limits,” Greene said. “No limits for everything, even outside track and field.”