Courtesy: USATF

Shawn Crawford won his second major international title of the year Thursday night at ANZ Stadium, taking the men's 200m gold medal at the Goodwill Games.

Running his fastest time of the season despite cold temperatures and a lane 8 draw, Crawford finished in 20.17, far ahead of second place Christopher Williams of Jamaica (20.38). Team USA's J.J. Johnson finished third (20.54).

"I was just running scared," said Crawford, who won the World Indoor title in March. "I wanted to get out and stay out. I'm happy because I ran faster than 20.19, which had been my fastest time this year."

Breaux Greer had one of his most enjoyable times this year in the men's javelin. Throwing with the intent of having a good time, Breaux Greer also had himself a good throw. He moved from sixth to second on his final attempt with a toss of 85.86m/277- 10, a mark that beat the previous Goodwill Games record of 84.16m/276-1. But World and Olympic champion Jan Zelezny of Czechoslovakia also beat the old record, throwing 87.52m/287-2 to win.

"I was having a great time out there," said Greer, a two-time U.S. champion who placed fourth at the World Championships. "The crowd was really into it." As for his throwing, "I had more power today than I've ever had."

Amy Acuff tied for third place in the women's high jump with Vita Palamar of Ukraine at 1.93m/6-4 as both women cleared the bar on their second attempts. The competition was won by world champion Hestrie Cloete of South Africa, who turned back Sweden's Kajsa Bergqvist to win at 2.0m/6-6.75. Bergqvist was second at 1.97m/6-5.5.

In other women's events, Kristin Kuehl was fourth (62.39m/204-8) and Seilala Sua finished fifth (61.70m/202-5) in the women's discus, behind gold medalist Ellina Zvereva of Belarus (66.36m/217-8). Tiombe Hurd was sixth in the women's triple jump (13.40m/43-11.75), behind Tatyana Lebedeva of Russia (14.58m/47- 0); and Sarah Schwald was sixth in the mile in 4:41.01, behind Violeta Szekely of Romania (4:38.03).

World champion Olimpiada Ivanova of Russia broke the world track record in the women's 20k walk with her time of 1:26:52.3, shattering the previous record of 1:29:36.4 and earning a $100,000 bonus from the Goodwill Games for the effort. American Jill Zenner was sixth in 1:43:33.4.

In men's events, Kevin Dilworth finished fourth in the men's long jump with a best mark of 7.97m/26-1.75. Teammate Savante Stringfellow was ninth at 7.61m/24-11.75, as World and Olympic champion Ivan Pedroso of Cuba won another gold at 8.16m/26-9.25.

Bryan Berryhill ran 4:00.26 in the men's mile to place eighth, with Olympic champion Noah Ngeny first in 3:56.64. American Andy Downin did not finish.

At the end of day 1 in the men's decathlon, Tom Pappas was in second place with 4351 points, trailing world record holder Tomas Dvorak of Czechoslovakia (5381) and ahead of Olympic champion Erki Nool of Estonia (4262). American Kip Janvrin was seventh in 3717, while Phil McMullen had 3022 points after being disqualified in the 400m.

Individual American performances for the 100m, long jump, shot put, javelin and 400m were: Pappas - 10.84 (897 pts), 7.24m/23-9 (871 pts), 15.30m/50-2.5 (808 pts), 2.18m/7-1.75 (973 pts), 50.27 (802 pts). Janvrin - 11.26 (804 pts), 6.63m/21-9 (727 pts), 13.31m/43-8 (686 pts), 1.82m/5-11.5 (644 pts), 49.11 (856 pts). McMullen - 11.42 (769 pts), 6.72m/22-0.75 (748 pts), 14.88m/48-10 (782 pts), 1.91m/6-3.75 (723 pts), 50.17 (DQ).

In the oddity of the evening, Paul Bitok of Kenya won the men's 5,00m in 15:26.10 (sic), a time that would have placed him 12th on the current 2001 U.S. women's list.

Goodwill Games track and field competition concludes Friday, highlighted by Michael Johnson anchoring the Team USA men's 4x400m relay, in last official race before retiring from the sport. Other men's finals are in the 10,000m, high jump, pole vault, shot put, hammer throw, decathlon and 4x100m relay. Women's finals are in the 10,000m, long jump, 4x100m relay and 4x400m relay.