Greene
returns to Texas for season opener
5 April
-
The
75th Annual Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays, which take place in the
Mike A. Myers Stadium
at the University of Texas this week, boast a line up which includes much of the
cream of United States sprinting talent.
Last year’s meet witnessed a lightning fast start to the season, when an HSI sprint relay team headed by World 100m record holder Maurice Greene, dashed to a 37.88 seconds 4x100m relay victory, the third fastest time ever run on American soil.
Greene, who won his third World championship 100 metres title in Edmonton last summer despite suffering from an unspecified leg injury throughout most of last season, will again open his outdoor programme in Texas on Saturday in the relay, and will be joined by another of last year’s triumphant quartet, Jon Drummond. The other two members of the squad have yet to be announced. Given the injury questions surrounding Greene, who has not competed since Edmonton, he will undoubtedly be the main focus of attention whatever other performances occur. It was originally reported last year that he had been bothered by tendonitis in his left knee, then that he had pulled his hamstring and thigh when running 9.82 seconds, the third-fastest time ever, when winning in Edmonton.
Greene was also reportedly injured in a motoring accident recently, although no clear reports were received regarding the nature of his injuries. His manager Emanuel Hudson later told Reuters that Greene had “got a problem with his leg, but I couldn't tell you exactly what it is…just that he pulled something.”
The Texas relays, which were first held in 1925 have also attracted star names in the invitational sprint hurdles, with World champion Allen Johnson and Olympic silver medallist Terrance Trammell on the starting card on Saturday.
This will be Trammell's second Texas Relays appearance and third trip to the Mike A. Myers Stadium. At last year's Relays he teamed with Obadele Thompson (BAR), Kareem Streete-Thompson (CAY) and Shawn Crawford (USA) to finish runner-up to the HSI squad in the relay.
