Oly Cow! Lewis In Again Eight-Time Gold Medalist Leaps Into Games For Record 5th Time
One inch of sand in the long jump pit. Carl Lewis qualified for his record fifth Olympics by that slim margin.
Lewis finished third in the long jump in the U.S. Olympic track and field trials Wednesday night, qualifying for the Atlanta Games in an event he has won in the last three Olympics.
Lewis’ best jump of 27 feet, 2-3/4 inches was just an inch better than fourth-place Mike Conley, who was hobbled on his last attempt by a left hamstring injury.
It made Lewis the first American male track and field athlete to qualify for five Olympic teams.
“I don’t even remember the first one, it was like two decades ago,” said the eight-time gold medalist. “It’s been an amazing run.”
Michael Johnson won the 400 meters in 43.44 seconds, the third-fastest time ever. Lance Deal captured the hammer throw, Johnny Gray won the 800, Maicel Malone was first in the women’s 400 and Suzy Powell won the women’s discus.
After his last attempt, Lewis bounded out of the pit. He lifted his right hand, spread his fingers and then rolled them into a fist.
Five fingers, one for each Olympic team he has made.
“Making the team is obviously a nice thing for me, it is a big relief. Because now, no matter what, I’m on the Olympic team again,” Lewis said. “The chance to go to the Games again is a tremendous feeling.”
Lewis failed to qualify in the 100 last Saturday and is a longshot in the 200, which he still plans to enter. He also said he would run in the final of the 400-meter relay if chosen for that spot by U.S. coaches.
After finishing last in the 100 final, the long jump clearly became his best chance to qualify for the Atlanta Games.
“There wasn’t a time when I didn’t think I was going to make the Olympic team,” he said. “It’s the one event that’s never deserted me. It’s always been there for me. It’s always been my favorite event.”
Mike Powell, a two-time world champion and twice a silver medalist behind Lewis in the Olympics, won the long jump final with a leap of 27-6-1/2 on his last attempt, rallying from sixth place with that jump.
Joe Greene, the 1992 Olympic bronze medalist, was second with a jump of 27-4-1/2.
In the men’s 400 meters, Johnson’s streak remained intact and so did Butch Reynolds’ world record.
Johnson won his 53rd consecutive 400-meter final, an unbeaten streak that stretches to 1989, by easily defeating Reynolds to win the final.
Johnson, wearing gaudy purple running shoes, ran the fastest 400 in the United States. The only faster times in history are Reynolds’ 43.29 world record and a 43.39 Johnson ran last year to win the world title.
Johnson said a poor start prevented him from breaking the world record he’s been chasing for years. He spent so much energy in the middle of the race trying to recover, he had nothing left at the end.
“I tried to overcome. I’m strong, but I’m not that strong,” he said. “I know I feel confident I can run 43 flat. I tried. The conditions were great, everything was perfect. It’s nobody’s fault but mine that I didn’t break the world record.”
In a race run with a thunderstorm approaching and lightning flashing around Olympic Stadium, Johnson led from the start and had a comfortable lead over Reynolds coming into the final straightaway.
Reynolds was second in 43.91 and Alvin Harrison was third in 44.09. Including the 44.30 run by fourth-place finisher LaMont Smith, they were the world’s four fastest times run in the 400 this year.
Quincy Watts, the 1992 Olympic champion, faded to eighth and did not qualify for the Olympic team.
Mary Slaney, who already has qualified in the women’s 5,000, won her heat of the 1,500 Wednesday night to advance to Friday’s semifinals. Among those also advancing were Ruth Wysocki, Regina Jacobs, Vicki Huber, Lynn Jennings and Suzy Hamilton.
American record-holder Deal won the men’s hammer throw with a heave of 249 feet, 4 inches. Dave Popejoy was second and Kevin McMahon captured the third spot.
Gray, the 1992 Olympic bronze medalist, won the 800 in 1 minute, 44.00 seconds.