Johnson, Greene Are Back

When last seen, Michael Johnson was sprawled on the track in the Olympic trials at Sacramento, a hamstring injury finishing his chances at making the U.S. team in the 200 meters.

On Friday, Johnson was back, winning his specialty, the 400, in 44.07 seconds, beating Britain’s Mark Richardson by .65 seconds and establishing dominance on the final curve at the Van Damme Memorial meet.

“I’m ready for Sydney, but I need a few more races under my belt,” said Johnson, the world record-holder at 43.18.

When last seen, Maurice Greene was also hobbling on the same track in the same race at Sacramento.

On Friday, Greene set a season’s best in the 100, running it in 9.88 seconds to win easily.

“I rushed my transition,” he said. “And my reaction time should be a lot better.”

It was good enough Friday night in a meet that showcased several Olympians.

Marion Jones, on a quest for five golds in Sydney, displayed her speed in the 100 meters, but also her limits in the long jump, finishing fifth.

In the 100, she ran the season’s second-best time, 10.83 seconds, only .05 off her top time this year. She shot out of the blocks and easily held off Savatheda Fynes of the Bahamas by .25 seconds.

Her chief rival so far, fellow American Inger Miller, finished fifth in 11.17, edging Jamaican veteran Merlene Ottey, who is making a comeback from a drug suspension.

But Jones found nothing but problems in the long jump. She scratched four times, and on her two valid jumps, she went no farther than 21 feet 7 1/2 inches.

Russia’s Tatyana Kotova won in 22-10, ahead of German veteran Heike Drechsler’s 22-6 1/4 and Italy’s Fiona May’s 22-4 1/2.

Gail Devers was impressive in the 100 hurdles, winning her fifth Golden League meet and assuring her of at least a share of the $1-million jackpot.

Devers had been worried a painful lower back would affect her performance.

“It will be gone by Sydney,” she said of the pain she started feeling Wednesday.

Devers clocked 12.53 seconds, only her fifth-fastest time this season but still faster than anyone else.

In the biggest surprise of the night, Denmark’s Wilson Kipketer finished only third in the 800, being outkicked in the finishing straight by Algerian Djabir Said-Guerni, who finished in 1:43.25, and Switzerland’s Andre Bucher.

Paul Tergat also set a season’s best, 27:03.87, in the 10,000, hoping to sway Kenyan selectors to pick him for the distance at Sydney.

“I love the 10,000 so much,” he said, adding though, “the most important thing is to be on the Olympic team.” Tergat is already running the 5,000 in Sydney.