Greene experimenting

U.S. Olympic sprinter working on start

? Just weeks before the start of the Athens Olympics, defending 100-meter champion Maurice Greene is still tinkering with his start.

Greene will try to perfect his form at the Norwich Union meet in Crystal Palace on Friday, a race that might be his final Olympic tuneup.

Recovered from a broken left leg in 2002 and a host of injuries during his comeback, Greene said he is ready to reclaim his place as the world’s top sprinter.

“The last couple of years, there were reasons why I wasn’t running the times that I am able to run because of injury,” Greene said Wednesday.

The start has been the problem.

“The last couple of years I’ve had to change my start because of the injuries I’ve had,” Greene said. “I need to make it efficient enough for me to set up the middle part of my race, which I think is the strongest part.

“I run off angles and body positions, and I’m not able to get the right angle and body position as I’m starting right now. As soon as I figure that out, the world record will be broken.”

Greene said there was a chance he could race in Switzerland, on Aug. 6. Also, Marion Jones has withdrawn from the meet where she had been scheduled to compete in the 100 meters and the long jump. She now plans to run the 100 at a grand prix meet in Zurich, Switzerland, on Aug. 6.