Greene worth a look

By JOHN ROMANO

© St. Petersburg Times, published July 15, 2000

SACRAMENTO -- He ran to the front of the field in the first round of the 100 meters Friday, but Maurice Greene seemed to be sending a message to Michael Johnson for next week's showdown in the 200.

Greene ran a 9.93 and appeared to slow down in the final meters, shaking his head and waving his finger as if to say no one should even try to beat him.

"I think a lot of people thought I came here not to run," Greene said. "I'm here to show them that I am."

Ato Boldon, a sprinter from Trinidad who trains with Greene, said his friend was making a statement because he was angered by a story in Friday's Sacramento Bee. In the story, Johnson said he did not pay attention to opponents any more because he should win every race if he ran to his capability.

"I listened to his press conference and it was like, Michael and Co. And that's going to change," Boldon said. "I just really hope that Michael is prepared for what Maurice is going to bring."

BACK TO OREGON: USA Track and Field announced the 2001 national championships will be held in Eugene, Ore. on June 21-24. The 1999 U.S. Championships also was held in Eugene. USATF chief Craig Masback said with the World Championships being held in Edmonton next year, track officials wanted to create enthusiasm in the Pacific Northwest with the U.S. Championships.

HIGH FLYING: Tisha Waller is looking for someone to push her in the high jump. She may not find that person until she reaches Sydney.

The 29-year-old former kindergarten teacher from Atlanta has won the USA Outdoor championships the last two years with very little competition. Amy Acuff and Waller have challenged each other in the past, but Acuff has been slowed by injuries this season.

The top high jumpers in Europe routinely jump 6-5, 6-6, while Waller has been winning U.S. meets at 6-4. Waller is concerned that she will have to life -- literally -- her performance a great deal in Australia.

"I think that may give (Europeans) a slight advantage," she said.

GAIL TAKES BACK SEAT: Gail Devers, accustomed to the glare of Olympic publicity, says she does not mind that attention has shifted to Marion Jones.

"You look back over the last three years, who else would you write about it," the two-time Olympic 100-meter champion said. "To be honest, any attention that's gone to women's track and field at all is great. It has nothing to do with who it is. You look over the last three years, who else would you write about. She's a great athlete. She's doing extraordinary things."

Devers said it is nice to see so much attention for a woman.

"I'm glad to hear people say "How's Marion? Do you know Marion?' " Devers said. "Usually, you only hear about guys. "Do you know Marion? Do you know Maurice Greene?' You know, females run, too."

RUNNING HURT: Marla Runyan, who has gained worldwide attention for her success despite being legally blind, finished second to Regina Jacobs in her preliminary heat of the women's 1,500 meters.

She said she came close a week ago to pulling out of the trials because of a sore left leg, but she decided to come anyway and ran a 4:09.68.

Runyon had stopped training June 8 and did not resume until Saturday. For nearly a month, she could not bend her right knee. All of her conditioning was in the swimming pool.

"If I was swimming the 1,500, I'd be tough to beat," Runyan said.

After the race, she became ill, then left the track dragging her injured leg.

"I was confident until about that third leg. Then it was "Oh man.' I sure missed that training," she said.

She said she is tired of interviews about her disability. Runyan said she may not compete in the 5,000, depending on how she feels after Sunday's 1,500 final.

© St. Petersburg Times. All rights reserved.

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