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Greene breaks 100m mark in 9.79 seconds

American Maurice Greene broke the 100 metre World record, running away from an elite field in 9.79 seconds on Tuesday in the Tsikliteria International.

Greene shattered the mark of 9.84 seconds, set by Canada's Donovan Bailey in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

The record was set on a nearly windless evening during a special 100 metres invitational race in the stadium that will be the main venue for the 2004 Olympic Games.

"I expected it,'' Greene said. "This is only the beginning.''

Greene's unofficial time was flashed as 9.78 seconds. The official time later was changed to 9.79.

The crowd gave Greene a standing ovation as he hugged other athletes and waved the banner of his manager's organisation. He looked for an American flag, but there were none readily available.

"This is a special place for me,'' said Greene, who won the 1997 World Championships in the 100 metres on the same track. He said he wanted to tell his mother the news by phone, but she wasn't home.

Greene, who also holds the World indoor 60 mark of 6.39 seconds, was planning only to run the 200 metres. But he said he changed his mind after seeing the strong 100 metres field.

AP