Greene runs year's fastest 100m

Gene Cherry

Maurice Greene ignored a scattering of boos on Thursday to run the fastest 100 metres in the world this year, 9.90 seconds, in the first round and then pulled out of the rest of the U.S. championships in protest.

The Olympic champion and world record holder, who false-started before tying the U.S. championship record, is upset at an American rule that requires world champions to participate in the U.S. event to receive a bye for the world championships in Edmonton from August 3-12.

"I slowed down a bit at the end, but I hope the fans are happy," said Greene.

He did not address his unhappiness with the new rule, as he had on Tuesday, but said: "I truthfully do need the rest".

An ice pack was resting on his left knee, but Greene would not say if he was injured.

"Rest right now would do my body very good," he said. "I need to make sure I am 100 per cent ready for the world championships."

The 100 and 200 metres world champion at Seville in 1999 plans to try for another double in Edmonton.

His single appearance in the U.S. championships made him eligible for a bye in both distances.

Although greeted by both boos and applause when he was introduced, Greene said the fans he had talked to were 100 per cent behind his decision not to compete in the remainder of the meeting.

NO RESTRICTIONS

"They know what is going on," said Greene, who claims that the IAAF and U.S. track officials made a "contract" with athletes at the 1999 world championships that if they won, they would receive a bye for Edmonton with no restrictions.

USA Track & Field chief executive Craig Masback put a positive spin on Greene's single appearance in the championships, which serve as the American trials for Edmonton.

"I think what's great is that Maurice came to the meet. He performed great," Masback said.

"The most important thing is for him to win the world championship. He knows what is best for him to prepare for the world championships."

Greene, whose world record is 9.79 seconds, said he believed he could better that time this year, but would not force it.

His next race will be over 100 metres in Rome on June 29.

Young Alan Webb drew the day's biggest cheer as he powered from fourth to first off the final curve to win his preliminary heat in the 1,500 metres in 3:45.77.

His time was the third fastest of the day, behind Bryan Berryhill's 3:40.47 and Olympian Gabe Jennings's 3:40.80.

Former Somalian Abdi Abdirahman outran new U.S. record-holder Meb Keflezighi to win the 10,000 metres final.

Abdirahman clocked 28:23.82 to defeat Keflezighi, formerly of Eritrea, by almost 16 seconds.

Three other finals were decided on the first day. The top three finishers qualify for Edmonton provided they have met qualifying standards.

Kevin McMahon made his fourth consecutive world championship team with a hammer throw of 76.52 metres.

Seilala Sua won her fourth national title in the women's discus, throwing 63.35 metres and Jenny Adams was first in a weak women's long jump field with a wind-assisted leap of 6.71 metres.