Longing To Be No. 1 Pedroso Could Be All Alone With Lewis, Powell Hurt

Carl Lewis probably is out. And Mike Powell is hurting. So Ivan Pedroso, the controversial world record-holder, could have the long jump field to himself at the World Championships.

With the 22-year-old Cuban now the overwhelming favorite, the United States’ domination in the long jump appears in jeopardy.

The Americans have won all four gold medals at the World Championships - the first two by Lewis, the last two by Powell.

The indomitable Lewis, whose 10-year, 65-meet winning streak was ended by Powell at the 1991 World Championships, also has won the last three golds at the Olympics, following the last victory in a major championship by a non-American - Lutz Dombrowski of Germany in 1980. That, however, was the year the Americans boycotted the Moscow Games.

Prior to that, the last long jump triumph by a non-American at the Olympics was by Britain’s Lynn Davies in 1964. The only other non-American winner, since the Games began in 1896, was William Pettersson of Sweden at Stockholm in 1920.

In these championships, in which competition begins today after Friday’s festive opening ceremonies, the long jump shaped up as a battle among the three longest jumpers in history. Now, the luster appears to be diminishing, and it could be strictly a one-man show.

The injured Lewis virtually took himself out of the event Friday, while Powell indicated that he was hurting too much to be a factor.

“I don’t foresee me competing,” the 34-year-old Lewis said while displaying his newly shaved head. “Physically, I can’t do it. I can’t run full speed.”

Lewis injured his left hamstring last Saturday at the Olympic Festival at Colorado. After taking three jumps, he stopped, complaining of pain.

“Right now, I’m not competing,” he said. “The decision will have to be changed back for me to compete. I don’t feel my leg will come around well enough for that to happen.”

Powell is subpar, too. Bothered by an ailing left heel, in addition to a sore hamstring and an aching back that have plagued him in recent years, Powell has lost his last four competitions, his longest losing streak since 1989.

Pedroso, meanwhile, was still awaiting approval of his momentous 29-4-3/4 jump at Sestriere, Italy, last Saturday.

The mark has been questioned because a coach was standing in front of the anenometer, affecting wind readings.