PALO ALTO, California, May 31 (AFP) - Three time worldchampion Maurice Greene is back in Olympic form afterwinning the 100 metres at the Payton Jordan athleticsmeet here on Monday.
With a strong breeze behind him, the reigning SydneyOlympic gold medallist clocked a wind-aided 9.78seconds, equalling the second fastest time in historyunder any conditions.
Greene also tied the world record but he benefittedfrom a favourable wind of 3.7 metres per second whichmeans he won’t share the fastest man in the world titlewith fellow American Tim Montgomery.
Montgomery ran a 9.78secs in September 2002 in Pariswith a legal wind of two metres per second.
Two weeks ago in Los Angeles, Greene raced to a 9.86in a wind-aided race in front of his hometown fans.
On Monday, Greene exploded out of the starting blocksand easily beat out countrymen Justin Gatlin (9.91) andJohn Capel (10.07).
He also had a tailwind of 4.6 metres per second at theHome Depot meet in Los Angeles.
Greene holds the two fastest times of the season inlegal conditions – 10.02, with a wind of 1.6 metres per second, in April inWalnut, California, and a 10.04, with no wind, May 8 inOsaka, Japan.
Greene’s time was lightning quick but it was stillwell off the wind-aided 9.69 posted by Obadele Thompson, of the Barbados, in1996.
Stacy Dragila dominated the women’s pole vault,clearing 4.70 metres and sending a message to herRussians rivals that, like Greene, she is working herway into podium shape.
In men’s pole vault, the helmeted Toby Stevensonsoared 5.85 metres and American Latasha Colander won the200 metres in 22.37.
Allen Johnson cruised to victory in the men’s 110mhurdles, clocking a 13.12.