Lewis keeps long jump title

Press, 27 September 1988, Page 24

Lewis keeps long jump title

NZPA-Reuter Seoul Carl Lewis shrugged off his 100 metres thrashing by Ben Johnson to make Olympic history yesterday. While Africa celebrated two unexpected victories on the track, Lewis became the first man to retain an Olympic long jump title, jumping 8.72 metres despite his obvious annoyance at a schedule which left him little time to catch his breath. . Gone was the smiling serenity of Los Angeles, where Lewis won four gold medals, as the lithe American berated officials for forcing him to run two 200 metres heats before lining up for six jumps. “The schedule is ridiculous. They couldn’t find a way to make a tougher day for me ... it’s not fair,” Lewis said, The American was involved in an angry exchange with officials midway through the event. Lewis- had jumped twelfth and last but after leading after three jumps he was asked to jump again at the head of the field. The American,, who had twisted his ankle slightly with his third jump, held up five fingers to indicate he wanted more time. He eventually jumped twice more but just ran through the pit on his sixth and' last jump. Lewi’s team-mates, John Powell and Larry Myricks, were second and third respectively with jumps of 8.49 m and 8.27 m. It was the first time one country had won all three medals in the event since the St Louis Games of 1904 when Americans carried off the gold,. silver and bronze. A win in the 200 metres final today would. put the smile back on Lewis’s face and his name once again in the record books — no man has retained that title either. The American Roger Kingdom also retained a title — the 110 metres hurdles — with a scorching performance. Aided by a following wind of 1.5 metres a. second,. Kingdom swooped across the finish line in 12.98 seconds, the third fastest time ever and the second fastest at sea level.