Marquee Games To Begin

An epic battle between long jumpers Jackie Joyner-Kersee and Heike Drechsler and a rare U.S. appearance by pole vault world record-holder Sergei Bubka help launch the 88th Millrose Games tonight.

The Madison Square Garden meet is the first of the five-meet Mobil Indoor Track and Field Series. USA Track & Field created the circuit to provide primetime television coverage for the sport and head-to-head competition among its top performers.

To liven up the series, USATF signed 31 top athletes - Americans and resident foreigners.

Butch Reynolds, the world outdoor record-holder at 400 meters, and Joe Greene, the 1992 Olympic long jump bronze medal winner, were among the late scratches. Meet organizers said both reported hamstring injuries.