Ukrainian outruns Jones in World Championships

Associated Press

Castle High graduate Bryan Clay, right, sprints toward the finish in the 100 meters of the decathlon along with Czech Republic's Tomas Dvorak, far left, and Russia's Lev Lobodin. Clay clocked 10.73 seconds. He is in 16th place with 4,018 points entering today's final five events. Associated Press

Zhanna Pintusevich-Block edged Jones at the finish in the 100 meters at the World Championships, ending Jones' magnificent winning streak of 42 consecutive finals and thwarting her bid for a third consecutive world title.

The winner clocked a world-leading 10.82 seconds. Jones finished in 10.85, her first loss since her final race of the 1997 season when she was beaten in Japan by Merlene Ottey of Jamaica.

Since then, Jones has dominated the women's 100, winning the Olympic gold medal and establishing herself as the second-best sprinter in history, behind the late Florence Griffith Joyner, the world record-holder.

But on this day, she didn't appear to have the fierce determination and drive that carried her to those heights.

"I didn't expect to win every race the rest of my career," Jones said. "I ran a 10.85 today, so I don't think the world is falling apart. I've won so many races I think I got spoiled somewhat.

"Of course, I'm a bit disappointed," she said, "but I'm not a sore loser. I give all the credit to Zhanna. She was the better sprinter today."

Ekaterini Thanou of Greece got the bronze medal, running 10.91.

Meantime, Stacy Dragila, the world record-holder in the women's pole vault, outdueled Svetlana Feofanova of Russia to win her second straight world title. Both cleared 15 feet, 7 inches, but Dragila won on fewer misses.

In the 100, Jones and Pintusevich-Block ran virtually side by side the entire way, before the Ukrainian edged ahead just before the finish with a last-ditch push. When she realized she had won and stopped Jones' streak, Pintusevich-Block dropped to one knee and covered her face — as if she couldn't believe it.

Four years ago, Pintusevich-Block thought she had beaten Jones in the 100 final and was celebrating when Jones was declared the winner in a photo finish.

"I'm so, so happy," Pintusevich-Block said. "I still remember '97. Finally, my dream came true."

Pintusevich-Block, the 1997 world 200-meter champion, also beat Jones in the semifinals, finishing in 10.94, .01 ahead of Jones.

Both Dragila and Feofanova missed three times at a world record 15-9fl, in a four-hour competition marred by officials twice setting the standards at incorrect heights.

"We're both No. 1 today," Dragila said, after embracing Feofanova. "This is awesome."

In other finals, Avard Moncur of the Bahamas won the men's 400 in 44.64, becoming the first champion in that event other than Michael Johnson since 1991; world record-holder Jonathan Edwards of Britain took the triple jump with a world-leading 58-9 1/2; and world record-holder Osleidys Martinez of Cuba won the women's javelin at 228-1.

Maurice Greene and John Godina had hoped to win more than one gold medal apiece at the championships. Those hopes were dashed yesterday.

A day after winning his third straight 100-meter title, Greene withdrew from the rest of the meet because of injuries to his left leg. Two days after winning his third shot put title, Godina failed to advance to the discus final.

Greene, who ran the third-fastest time in history Sunday, 9.82, limped across the finish line, then said yesterday he had a strained left thigh.

"I would not let him run," coach John Smith said. "The rest of the season is questionable."

After the 100, Greene ruled himself out of the 200, which he won at the last worlds in 1999, but still was considering running the 400 relay, which he anchored to a gold medal at the Sydney Olympics. However, his condition did not improve overnight.

"If it was up to me, with how I feel, I would still go out there and try to run, but I don't want to damage the (relay) team," Greene said. "It's hard for me to lift, pick myself off the ground."

Greene also has been bothered this season by tendinitis in his left knee.

Godina still hasn't learned how to combine the shot put and discus in a major international competition. Trying for an unprecedented sweep of the two events, Godina finished 21st in discus qualifying.

It was another in a series of disheartening discus performances, after a glittering showing in the shot.

"I just have to learn to get balance between the two throws," Godina said. "I didn't get into a groove in the discus."

Godina threw only 187-7 and fouled twice in the discus.

Andy Bloom, bothered by back, hip and shoulder injuries, also failed to qualify for the discus final, throwing only 184-9. Adam Setliff was the only American to advance, throwing 204-2.

Four-time champion Lars Riedel of Germany led the qualifiers at 217-5.