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Greene predicts U.S. sweep in 100 meters

Posted on: Thursday, 4 August 2005, 07:57 CDT

By Gene Cherry

HELSINKI (Reuters) - Former world and Olympic champion Maurice Greene is predicting a U.S. sweep in the world championships 100 meters even though he will not be in the race.

"I really can't see anyone (other than the Americans), especially with the rounds and everything else, pulling it off," Greene, who pulled up lame in the U.S. trials and did not qualify for the 100 meters, told reporters.

Greene tipped his training partner Leonard Scott to win the race.

"Obviously he is my first pick," Greene said. "Justin (Gatlin) will get second and Shawn (Crawford) will get third....a U.S. sweep."

Olympic gold medallist Gatlin is the odds-on favorite, however, with world record holder Asafa Powell injured.

"He's (Gatlin's) a very strong mental competitor," Greene said.

Greene said he hoped to make the medallists pay over the coming months.

"My job the rest of the season is to make any person who has got a medal to pay for that medal," the former world record holder said.

Greene has recovered from the hamstring injury he suffered at the U.S. championships in June and plans to resume 100 meters running at Zurich on August 19. Races are also scheduled in Sheffield, Brussels and China.

His role at the championships will be to help the Americans win the 4x100 meters relay. He most likely will run the second leg with Gatlin on the anchor.

"It's hurtful," the 31-year-old said of his absence from the 100 meters. "We'll just have to wait until the next world championships to win.

"I've always said I was going to finish on top. Once I step on that top podium again I can walk away from the sport," he added.

"It's a definite I will not be stopping for at least another two years."

Source: REUTERS

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