SEVILLE, Spain, Reuter: Olympic champion Carl Lewis, second to Canada’s Ben Johnson in the 100 meters here last night, intensified the rivalry between the two men when he said: “That is the last time he beatses) me.
Lewis raised his arm in victory after the sprint showdown, but the photo finish and the timings both confirmed Johnson had won.
Lewis, slower off the mark, had caught the muscular Canadian before Johnson’s surge over the second half of the race carried him to victory as his American rival dipped for the line.
Johnson clocked 10.06 seconds, the best mark of the year, proving he is the World’s top sprinter and within reach of breaking Calvin Smith’s 9.93second World record.
Johnson, who set the World’s best no altitude time of 9.95 in Moscow last year, beat Lewis three times in 1986.
This year Lewis had avoided confronting his most dangerous rival until last night’s outdoor meeting and it is unlikely he will do so again until the World championships in Rome starting in late August.
Article extracted from this publication >> June 5, 1987
