ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, August 2, 1996 TAG: 9608020030
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: ATLANTA
SOURCE: JACK BOGACZYK STAFF WRITER
U.S. Olympic track and field coach Erv Hunt likely put a period on Carl Lewis' Olympic days Thursday.
As expected, Hunt's six selections as potential competitors in Saturday's 4 x 100 relay didn't include the 10-time medal winner.
Not long after Hunt announced his six picks, Leroy Burrell, a former world-record holder in the 100, pulled out of the competition because of acute Achilles tendinitis.
That could reopen the door for Lewis.
The declarations for the competition that begins with heats today allow for two substitutions. The six sprinters Hunt selected for the men's relay were Burrell, Jon Drummond, Tim Harden, Dennis Mitchell, Tim Montgomery and Jeff Williams.
With Burrell out, Hunt still has five sprinters from which to choose as a replacement.
"Our next step is to find someone to take Leroy's place,'' Hunt said. "We do have some alternates. We will do what's best for the team and the country.''
Hunt did not mention Lewis.
If Lewis runs and the U.S. wins the relay, the Atlanta Games' gold medalist in the long jump would have a 10th gold medal, which would be the most in history for any U.S. athlete.
Once Lewis won the long jump Monday night, there was a certain sentimental bent to suggestions that Hunt place Lewis on the team. The coach hasn't wavered on the subject since Lewis didn't attend the team's relay camp in North Carolina in June.
"The whole thing had just gotten bigger than the real issue,'' Lewis said. "I'm being honest, I'd love to run in it. I didn't lobby. When someone asked me if I'd like to run, I just answered the question.''
LENGTH: Short : 43 linesby CNB