It was double disappointment for the Hong Kong men's 4 ' 100m relay team at Stadium Australia yesterday. Not only did they fail to break their local record, but afterwards they were snubbed by the world's fastest man Maurice Greene.
To Wai-lok, Chiang Wai-hung, Ho Kwan-lung and Tang Hon-sing were probably more crushed at the American star's refusal to pose for a picture with them, than with their seventh-place finish in the opening round heats.
'I have to change my man,' said Greene when Tang went up and asked him if it was possible for a photograph to be taken. Greene was not being rude. He was simply trying to get away from the crush after being stopped for half-a-dozen interviews in the tunnel by the world's media. Greene, living up to his nickname 'motormouth' had anchored the American relay squad of Kenneth Brokenburr, Timothy Montgomery and Brian Lewis to the fastest qualifying time in the morning's heats.
'That's how we do it baby,' were Greene's first words as he cockily walked down the aisle leading to the changing room.
The American quartet registered 38.16 seconds. Hong Kong's foursome finished in a more pedestrian fashion, clocking a 40.15 that was below the Hong Kong record of 39.97.
'I was nervous. But you have to be prepared. When the gun goes off, your nerves have got to switch off too. We want to make it the story of the Games by winning the relay. USA . . . a hundred per cent,' shouted Greene.
Hong Kong's relay squad could only watch on in admiration as Greene, winner of the 100m gold medal, mouthed off to the world.