AFP
24 June 2000 Eugene, Oregon - Double world champion Maurice Greene won the 200m at the
Prefontaine Classic IAAF Grand Prix Saturday in a wind-aided 19.93sec, and pronounced
himself satisfied with his first 200m of the year.
Greene, the 100m world record-holder, gave himself slightly better than average marks.
"I felt good today, I have to work on coming off the curve. I need a little more acceleration off the curve," he said.
Greene, expected to duel for the Olympic 200m gold in
Sydney with compatriot Michael Johnson, world record-holder in both the
200m and 400m, said the performance, in a following wind of 2.1m/sec, left plenty of room
for development this year. He wouldn't predict a time, only that his best effort would
come at the Games in September.
"We'll find out in Sydney," Greene said of his potential for approaching Johnson's 200m world mark of 19.32sec. American Kenny Brokenburr was second in 20.12 and 1992 Olympic Champion Mike Marsh, engineering a career resurgence after missing all of 1998 recovering from foot surgery, was third in 20.22.
Johnson passed up the 200m on Saturday to concentrate on the 400m, winning in a meet record 43.92sec. American Tyree Washington was second in 44.72 and Brazil's Sanderlei Parrella was third in 44.78.
In other early events, Marion Jones won the women's 100m in a wind-aided 10.93sec.
Jones, who has her sights set on five gold medals at the Olympics, gave Nike's futuristic new Swift Suit it's debut in international competition, then peeled off the head-to-toe bodysuit to compete in the long jump.
In the men's mile, William Chirchir of Kenya posted the
fastest time in the world this year, winning in 3:51.84. Canada's Kevin
Sullivan was second in 3:52.54 and Brazil's Hudson da Souza was third in 3:53.74.
In the women's 1,500m Romanian Gabriela Szabo remained undefeated in more than a year when she edged the gallant Suzy Favor Hamilton at the line.Hamilton, buoyed by the crowd at Hayward Field, led by more than 10 meters at the final turn. But Szabo inexorably closed the gap on the tiring American who fell at the finish in a vain attempt to lean over the line first.
Szabo's winning time of 4:00.73 was the fastest in the
world this year. Hamilton was second in 4:00.79 - both inside the previous
meet record of 4:06.35 set by Sonia O'Sullivan of Ireland.
